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Senior Operating Systems Programmer Salary in the United States

What is the salary range of a Senior Operating Systems Programmer?

As of November 01, 2025, the average salary for a Senior Operating Systems Programmer in the United States is $118,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

However, a Senior Operating Systems Programmer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,818
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,190 to $125,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,812
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View as table View as graph 25% $108,190 10% $98,812 90% $132,818 75% $125,990 $118,490 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Operating Systems Programmer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $125,990 $10,499 $2,423 $61
Average $118,490 $9,874 $2,279 $57
25th Percentile $108,190 $9,016 $2,081 $52
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Key Factors That Influence Senior Operating Systems Programmer Salaries

A Senior Operating Systems Programmer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Senior Operating Systems Programmer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Operating Systems Programmer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $113,933
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $114,709
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,262
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,799
  • Expert (over 8 years): $122,787
Levels Salary
Entry Level Senior Operating Systems Programmer $113,933
Intermediate Level Senior Operating Systems Programmer $114,709
Senior Level Senior Operating Systems Programmer $116,262
Specialist Level Senior Operating Systems Programmer $120,799
Expert Level Senior Operating Systems Programmer $122,787
$113,933 0 yr
$114,709 < 2 yrs
$116,262 2-4 yrs
$120,799 5-8 yrs
$122,787 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Education impacts a Senior Operating Systems Programmer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Senior Operating Systems Programmers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Senior Operating Systems Programmer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $106,881 and $113,674.

Senior Operating Systems Programmer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Senior Operating Systems Programmer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.9%
High School 29.4%
Bachelors 41.2%
Masters 23.5%
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Senior Operating Systems Programmer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior Operating Systems Programmer'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on November 01, 2025
$108,190
Average $118,490/year
$125,990
$9,016
Average $9,874/month
$10,499
$2,081
Average $2,279/week
$2,423
$52
Average $57/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,990 $10,499 $2,423 $61
Average $118,490 $9,874 $2,279 $57
25th Percentile $108,190 $9,016 $2,081 $52

Salaries of jobs related to Senior Operating Systems Programmer

Salary Trends for Senior Operating Systems Programmers

Salaries for a Senior Operating Systems Programmer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $116,660 in 2023 to around $115,562 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Senior Operating Systems Programmer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Senior Operating Systems Programmer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$116,660
2024
$116,860
2025
$115,562
2026
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $116,660
2024 $116,860
2025 $115,562
2026
View More

Senior Operating Systems Programmer bonus and incentive rates

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Base Salary 70.5%
Bonuses 1.7%
Social Security 5.5%
401k/403b 3.0%
Disability 1.4%
Healthcare 5.0%
Pension 3.9%
Time Off 8.9%
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Core Compensation
Median % of Total
Base Salary $118,490 70.5%
Bonus $2,900 1.7%
Value of Benefits
Median % of Total
Social Security $9,286 5.5%
401K/403B $5,098 3.0%
Disability $2,428 1.4%
Healthcare $8,352 5.0%
Pension $6,555 3.9%
Time Off $14,940 8.9%
Total Compensation $168,050 100%
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Most common benefits for Senior Operating Systems Programmer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Senior Operating Systems Programmer

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FAQ about Senior Operating Systems Programmer

1. How much does Apple pay senior software development engineers?

Apple pays Senior Operating Systems Programmers a salary range between $101,890 and $124,990 annually, with a midpoint of $114,290. This reflects competitive compensation in the tech industry, aligning with the expertise and responsibilities associated with the role. Salary data is based on various sources and may vary by location and experience.

2. Which software developer has highest salary in USA?

The highest salary for a software developer in the USA is for the Cloud Engineer, averaging $142,130. In comparison, a Senior Operating Systems Programmer has a salary range with a minimum of $101,890, a mid-level salary of $114,290, and a maximum of $124,990. This positions them below the top earners in the software development field.

3. How much does an OS developer get paid?

An Operating Systems Programmer earns between $101,890 and $124,990 annually, with a median salary of $114,290. This translates to an average hourly rate of approximately $48.86. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and specific employer.

4. What is the highest paid programming language in USA?

The salary data for a Senior Operating Systems Programmer indicates a minimum salary of $101,890, a mid-range salary of $114,290, and a maximum salary of $124,990. While programming languages like Solidity and Rust lead in average salaries, the compensation for operating systems programming remains competitive within the tech industry.

5. Who earns more, C++ or Python?

C++ typically offers higher salaries compared to Python. For a Senior Operating Systems Programmer, the salary ranges from $101,890 to $124,990, with a midpoint of $114,290. While C++ may have fewer job opportunities, the financial rewards are generally greater than those for Python, which tends to have more job openings but lower salary ranges.

6. What is the salary of 6 years experience IOS developer?

The salary for a Senior Operating Systems Programmer with 6 years of experience typically ranges from $101,890 to $124,990, with a midpoint average of $114,290. This reflects the competitive compensation for skilled professionals in the field.

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.)

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