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Systems Applications Developer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Systems Applications Developer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Applications Developer III in the United States is $128,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

However, a Systems Applications Developer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $144,074
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,590 to $136,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,393
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Systems Applications Developer III Salaries

A Systems Applications Developer III'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 III'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 Software Systems Developer (0-2 years): $79,844
  • Intermediate Software Systems Developer (2-4 years): $109,714
  • Systems Applications Developer III (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
Entry Software Systems Developer0-2 years$79,844
Intermediate Software Systems Developer2-4 years$109,714
Systems Applications Developer III4-7 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 III 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $142,590.
  • California: $141,990.
  • Massachusetts: $140,090.

Top Paying Cities for Systems Applications Developer IIIs

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: $162,390
  • San Francisco: $160,590
  • Oakland: $157,290

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 3.76% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 3.79% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
  • SQL (Mentioned in 2.54% 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 3.76%
Programming 3.79%
SQL 2.54%
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 III's salary.

  • Microservices: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Kubernetes: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Microservices $137,805
7%
Commitment $135,230
5%
Kubernetes $133,942
4%
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Systems Applications Developer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Systems Applications Developer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $143,928. While startup companies pay approximate $121,749.

Systems Applications Developer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $121,749
Growth Stage 51~500 $128,761
Established 501~5000 $138,981
Enterprise 5000+ $143,928

Systems Applications Developer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Systems Applications Developer III 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 Financial Services 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 III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Systems Applications Developer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$154,548$74.020%
Financial Services$154,548$74.020%
Pharmaceuticals$154,548$74.020%
Software & Networking$154,548$74.020%
Telecom$154,548$74.020%

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

Understanding how a Systems Applications Developer III'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
$117,590
Average $128,790/year
$136,790
$9,799
Average $10,733/month
$11,399
$2,261
Average $2,477/week
$2,631
$57
Average $62/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $136,790 $11,399 $2,631 $66
Average $128,790 $10,733 $2,477 $62
25th Percentile $117,590 $9,799 $2,261 $57

Systems Applications Developer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Systems Applications Developer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Systems Applications Developer III, 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
Systems Applications Developer IV $143,200 11%
Enterprise Applications Developer IV $149,200 16%
Enterprise Systems Engineer IV $144,300 12%
IT Systems Programmer IV $138,500 8%

Most common benefits for Systems Applications Developer III

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

Common company salaries for Systems Applications Developer III

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

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FAQ about Systems Applications Developer III

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

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

2. How much does Walmart pay SDE 3 in USA?

The average salary for a Walmart Software Engineer 3 in the United States ranges from $111,890 to $137,990 annually. The midpoint salary is approximately $124,990. This reflects the competitive compensation for Systems Applications Developers in the industry.

3. What level is software engineer III at Google?

Software Engineer III at Google is considered a Level 4 position. Typically, candidates for this role have 2 to 4 years of experience or hold a Ph.D. Based on salary data for a Systems Applications Developer, the salary range is approximately $111,890 to $137,990, with a midpoint of $124,990.

4. How much does a software engineer III earn at Microsoft?

The salary for a Systems Applications Developer typically ranges from $111,890 to $137,990, with a mid-point salary of $124,990. This range reflects the base salary and does not include additional compensation such as bonuses or stock options.

5. What is the salary of SDE 3 in Google in USA?

The salary for a Systems Applications Developer ranges from $111,890 to $137,990, with a midpoint of $124,990. This is significantly lower than the average salary for a Software Engineer III at Google, which is estimated at $198,807 per year.

6. How much does a systems developer earn in USA?

The estimated total pay for a Systems Applications Developer in the USA ranges from $111,890 to $137,990 per year, with a mid-salary of $124,990. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data, providing a clear picture of potential earnings in this role.

7. What is the salary of SDE 3 in Microsoft?

The estimated total pay range for a Systems Applications Developer is $111,890 to $137,990 per year, which includes base salary and additional compensation. The average base salary for this role is approximately $124,990 per year.

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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