Software Engineering Support Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Engineering Support Manager make in the United States?

As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Engineering Support Manager in the United States is $127,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $144,484
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $115,890 to $136,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,511

Key Factors That Influence Software Engineering Support Manager Salaries

A Software Engineering Support Manager'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 Software Engineering Support Manager 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 Software Engineering Support Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $140,990.
  • California: $140,390.
  • Massachusetts: $138,590.

Top Paying Cities for Software Engineering Support Managers

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: $160,590
  • San Francisco: $158,790
  • Oakland: $155,490

What Skills Can Increase a Software Engineering Support Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.1% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Software Engineering (Mentioned in 2.89% Job Postings): Software engineering is the application of engineering to the development of software in a systematic method. Notable definitions of software engineering include: "the systematic application of scientific and technological knowledge, methods, and experience to the design, implementation, testing, and documentation of software"—The Bureau of Labor Statistics—IEEE Systems and software engineering - Vocabulary "The application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software"—IEEE Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology "an engineering discipline that is concerned with all aspects of software production"—Ian Sommerville "the establishment and use of sound engineering principles in order to economically obtain software that is reliable and works efficiently on real machines"—Fritz Bauer
  • SQL (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.1%
Software Engineering 2.89%
SQL 1.24%

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 a Software Engineering Support Manager's salary.

  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Code Review: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Software Development Life Cycle: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Machine Learning $147,656
16%
Code Review $145,111
14%
Software Development Life Cycle $142,565
12%

Software Engineering Support Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Engineering Support Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $142,064. While startup companies pay approximate $120,321.

Software Engineering Support Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $120,321
Growth Stage 51~500 $127,213
Established 501~5000 $137,175
Enterprise 5000+ $142,064

Software Engineering Support Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Engineering Support Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Software Engineering Support Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Engineering Support Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Engineering Support Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$146,384$70.015%
Pharmaceuticals$146,384$70.015%
Biotechnology$140,019$67.010%
Financial Services$140,019$67.010%
Internet$140,019$67.010%

How Education impacts a Software Engineering Support Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Engineering Support Managers 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 a Software Engineering Support Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $123,775 and $134,638).

Software Engineering Support Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Engineering Support Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 13.2%
Associates 10.8%
Bachelors 54.2%
Masters 19.7%
Doctorate 1.3%

Software Engineering Support Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Engineering Support Manager'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 November 01, 2026
$115,890
Average $127,290/year
$136,290
$9,658
Average $10,608/month
$11,358
$2,229
Average $2,448/week
$2,621
$56
Average $61/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $136,290 $11,358 $2,621 $66
Average $127,290 $10,608 $2,448 $61
25th Percentile $115,890 $9,658 $2,229 $56

Software Engineering Support Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Software Engineering Support Manager, 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.

Software Engineering Support Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Senior Manager $160,500 26%
Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Engineering Senior Manager $166,400 31%

Most common benefits for Software Engineering Support Manager

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

Common company salaries for Software Engineering Support Manager

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

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FAQ about Software Engineering Support Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Engineering Support Manager?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Engineering Support Manager roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

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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