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Software Technical Support Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Technical Support Engineer I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Technical Support Engineer I in the United States is $69,483 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,544
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,433 to $75,273
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,014
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Technical Support Engineer I Salaries

A Software Technical Support Engineer I'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 Technical Support Engineer I 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 Technical Support Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $76,933.
  • California: $76,643.
  • Massachusetts: $75,613.

Top Paying Cities for Software Technical Support Engineer Is

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: $87,633
  • San Francisco: $86,673
  • Oakland: $84,853

What Skills Can Increase a Software Technical Support Engineer I'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 a Software Technical Support Engineer I'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 $77,821
12%
Team Development $73,652
6%
API $72,957
5%
Get Latest Data

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

Software Technical Support Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $77,650. While startup companies pay approximate $65,684.

Software Technical Support Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,684
Growth Stage 51~500 $69,468
Established 501~5000 $74,981
Enterprise 5000+ $77,650

Software Technical Support Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Technical Support Engineer I 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, Software Technical Support Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Technical Support Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Technical Support Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$83,380$40.020%
Biotechnology$83,380$40.020%
Business Services$83,380$40.020%
Chemicals$83,380$40.020%
Construction$83,380$40.020%

How Education impacts a Software Technical Support Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Technical Support Engineer Is 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 Technical Support Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $72,507 and $78,013).

Software Technical Support Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Technical Support Engineer I
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

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

Understanding how a Software Technical Support Engineer I'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
$62,433
Average $69,483/year
$75,273
$5,203
Average $5,790/month
$6,273
$1,201
Average $1,336/week
$1,448
$30
Average $33/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,273 $6,273 $1,448 $36
Average $69,483 $5,790 $1,336 $33
25th Percentile $62,433 $5,203 $1,201 $30

Software Technical Support Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Technical Support Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Software Technical Support Engineer I, 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 Software Technical Support Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Software Technical Support Engineer I

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

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FAQ about Software Technical Support Engineer I

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

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

2. What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Engineers typically do not make $200,000 a year in Software Technical Support roles. The salary range for a Software Technical Support Engineer is between $67,943 and $89,213, with a mid-salary of $77,693. Positions that may offer higher salaries include specialized roles like AI Software Engineer or Data Engineer, but these are not typical for support engineers.

3. How much does Amazon SOC support engineer earn?

The salary for a Software Technical Support Engineer at Amazon typically ranges from $67,943 to $89,213, with a midpoint of $77,693. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role, aligning with industry standards.

4. What is the highest paying software job in USA?

The highest paying software job in the USA varies, but roles like Full Stack Developer and DevOps Engineer often lead the pack with average salaries around $114,395 and $119,350, respectively. In contrast, a Software Technical Support Engineer typically earns between $67,943 and $89,213, with a mid-salary of $77,693.

5. How much does an IT Support engineer 1 make at Amazon?

The estimated total pay range for a Software Technical Support Engineer at Amazon is approximately $67,943 to $89,213 annually. The average base salary is around $77,693. This figure encompasses both base salary and potential additional compensation.

6. What is the salary of an AI engineer?

The salary for a Software Technical Support Engineer ranges from approximately $67,943 to $89,213 per year, with a median salary of around $77,693. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field.

7. How much do tech support engineers make in the US?

As of January 2025, the salary for a Software Technical Support Engineer in the United States ranges from $67,943 to $89,213 annually, with a median salary of $77,693. This translates to approximately $32.64 to $42.85 per hour, or $1,308 to $1,715 per week, and $5,670 to $7,430 per month.

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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