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Entry Software Support Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Software Support Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Software Support Engineer in the United States is $69,470 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, an Entry Software Support Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,531
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,420 to $75,260
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,001
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Entry Software Support Engineer Salaries

An Entry Software Support Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Entry Software Support Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Software Support Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $76,920.
  • California: $76,630.
  • Massachusetts: $75,600.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Software Support Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $87,620
  • San Francisco: $86,660
  • Oakland: $84,840

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Software Support Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 8.3% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 2.8% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
  • Tableau (Mentioned in 1.73% Job Postings): Using business intelligence software to perform data analysis, data visualization, and the BI process of an organization.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 8.3%
Computer Science 2.8%
Tableau 1.73%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Entry Software Support Engineer's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • API: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $77,806
12%
Team Development $73,638
6%
API $72,944
5%
Get Latest Data

Entry Software Support Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Software Support Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $77,636. While startup companies pay approximate $65,672.

Entry Software Support Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,672
Growth Stage 51~500 $69,455
Established 501~5000 $74,967
Enterprise 5000+ $77,636

Entry Software Support Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Software Support Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Entry Software Support Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Software Support Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Software Support Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$83,364$40.020%
Biotechnology$83,364$40.020%
Business Services$83,364$40.020%
Chemicals$83,364$40.020%
Construction$83,364$40.020%

How Education impacts an Entry Software Support Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Software Support Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Software Support Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $72,494 and $78,000).

Entry Software Support Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Software Support Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 13.2%
Associates 11.5%
Bachelors 57.0%
Masters 16.9%
Doctorate 0.9%
View as Graph

Entry Software Support Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Software Support Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$62,420
Average $69,470/year
$75,260
$5,202
Average $5,789/month
$6,272
$1,200
Average $1,336/week
$1,447
$30
Average $33/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,260 $6,272 $1,447 $36
Average $69,470 $5,789 $1,336 $33
25th Percentile $62,420 $5,202 $1,200 $30

Entry Software Support Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Entry Software Support Engineer

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Entry Software Support Engineer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer II $93,200 34%
Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Engineer II $83,400 20%
Intermediate Software Support Engineer $83,400 20%

Most common benefits for Entry Software Support Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Entry Software Support Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Entry Software Support Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Software Support Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Software Support Engineer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Software Support Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the lowest salary for a software engineer in the US?

The lowest salary for an Entry Software Support Engineer in the US is approximately $67,930. The average salary is around $77,680, while top earners can make up to $89,200 annually. This reflects a competitive range for entry-level positions in the software support field.

3. Is 70k good for an entry level software engineer?

A salary of 70k for an entry-level software support engineer is below the minimum salary of 67,930. While it may seem reasonable, it falls short of the typical range, which spans from 67,930 to 89,200. Therefore, it would be advisable to negotiate for a higher salary to align with industry standards.

4. Do software engineers earn a lot in USA?

In the USA, Entry Software Support Engineers earn between $67,930 and $89,200 annually, with a median salary of $77,680. While this is lower than the overall median for software engineers, the tech industry remains one of the highest-paying sectors, offering competitive salaries across various regions.

5. What is the lowest salary of a software engineer?

The lowest salary for an Entry Software Support Engineer is $67,930. Salaries typically range from this minimum to a mid-level salary of $77,680, with a maximum of $89,200. These figures reflect the compensation for professionals in this role, varying based on experience and location.

6. How much does a beginner software engineer make in the Us?

A beginner Software Support Engineer in the U.S. typically earns between $67,930 and $89,200, with a median salary of around $77,680. This reflects the entry-level position, while more experienced software engineers can earn significantly higher, with averages reaching over $100,000 for those with less than a year of experience.

7. How much should I ask for salary as an entry level software engineer?

As an entry-level software support engineer, you should consider asking for a salary between $67,930 and $89,200. The mid-range salary is approximately $77,680. This range reflects the typical compensation for someone in this role with less than three years of experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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