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Hourly Wage for Systems Applications Developer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Systems Applications Developer I make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Systems Applications Developer I in the United States is $38, which translates to an annual salary of about $79,890.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35 to $42 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Systems Applications Developer I Salaries

A Systems Applications Developer I'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Systems Applications Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Systems Applications Developer I'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:

  • Systems Applications Developer I (0-2 years): $79,844
  • Intermediate Software Systems Developer (2-4 years): $109,714
  • Senior Software Systems Developer (4-7 years): $128,727
  • Systems Applications Developer IV (7+ years): $143,184
  • Systems Applications Developer V (7-10 years): $165,981
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Systems Applications Developer I0-2 years$79,844
Intermediate Software Systems Developer2-4 years$109,714
Senior Software Systems Developer4-7 years$128,727
Systems Applications Developer IV7+ years$143,184
Systems Applications Developer V7-10 years$165,981
View as Graph

How Do Systems Applications Developer 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 Systems Applications Developer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $88,490.
  • California: $88,090.
  • Massachusetts: $86,890.

Top Paying Cities for Systems Applications Developer 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: $100,790
  • San Francisco: $99,690
  • Oakland: $97,590

What Skills Can Increase a Systems Applications Developer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Risk Management (Mentioned in 4.09% Job Postings): Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.
  • Operating System (Mentioned in 2.44% Job Postings): Maintaining software that runs on a computer that serves as an interface between computer hardware components and the user.
  • ISO (Mentioned in 2.05% Job Postings): The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.
Skills Demand Percentage
Risk Management 4.09%
Operating System 2.44%
ISO 2.05%
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 Systems Applications Developer I's salary.

  • Application Security: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Virtualization: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Information Security: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Application Security $103,058
29%
Virtualization $90,276
13%
Information Security $88,678
11%
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Systems Applications Developer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Systems Applications Developer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $89,280. While startup companies pay approximate $75,522.

Systems Applications Developer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $75,522
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,872
Established 501~5000 $86,212
Enterprise 5000+ $89,280

Systems Applications Developer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Systems Applications Developer 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, Systems Applications Developer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Systems Applications Developer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Systems Applications Developer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$95,868$46.020%
Biotechnology$95,868$46.020%
Energy & Utilities$95,868$46.020%
Financial Services$95,868$46.020%
Pharmaceuticals$95,868$46.020%

Systems Applications Developer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Systems Applications Developer 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
$73,090
Average $79,890/year
$86,390
$6,091
Average $6,658/month
$7,199
$1,406
Average $1,536/week
$1,661
$35
Average $38/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,390 $7,199 $1,661 $42
Average $79,890 $6,658 $1,536 $38
25th Percentile $73,090 $6,091 $1,406 $35

Most common benefits for Systems Applications Developer I

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

Common company salaries for Systems Applications Developer I

Here are companies hiring for Systems Applications Developer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Systems Applications Developer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Systems Applications Developer I?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Systems Applications Developer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Is 70k a good salary for software engineer?

A salary of $70,000 is below the minimum for a Systems Applications Developer, which starts at $71,490. While it may be considered decent for entry-level positions, the average salary in this field is around $79,190, with the potential to earn up to $88,890. Therefore, $70,000 may not be competitive for this role.

3. Do software developers get paid well?

Software developers can earn competitive salaries. For a Systems Applications Developer, the salary ranges from a minimum of $71,490 to a maximum of $88,890, with a median salary of $79,190. This indicates that while some developers earn significantly more, many are well-compensated within this range.

4. What is the salary of MBA in USA?

The salary for a Systems Applications Developer in the USA ranges from a minimum of $71,490 to a maximum of $88,890, with a mid-level salary of $79,190. This reflects the current market demand and compensation trends for this role.

5. How long does it take to become an app developer?

Becoming an app developer can take varying amounts of time. Traditional routes, like earning a computer science or software engineering degree, may take up to six years. However, accelerated programs can teach you the necessary skills in two to three years or even less. As a Systems Applications Developer, you can expect a salary ranging from $71,490 to $88,890, with a mid-range of $79,190.

6. Which country pays the most for IT?

1. United States 🇺🇸 Software engineers in the US earn a median annual salary of $79,190. The salary range for Systems Applications Developers is between $71,490 and $88,890. The United States is recognized for providing some of the highest-paying IT salaries globally.

7. Which developer has highest salary in US?

The Systems Applications Developer in the US has a salary range of $71,490 to $88,890, with a mid-salary of $79,190. While this is competitive, Python software engineers typically earn higher, with salaries ranging from $104,000 to $200,000, reflecting the high demand for their skills in various applications.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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