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Systems Architecture Specialist V Salary in the United States

How much does a Systems Architecture Specialist V make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Architecture Specialist V in the United States is $168,120 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $81.

However, a Systems Architecture Specialist V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $185,715
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $156,850 to $177,330
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $146,589
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Systems Architecture Specialist V Salaries

A Systems Architecture Specialist V'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 Systems Architecture Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Systems Architecture Specialist V'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:

  • Information Systems Architect III (4-7 years): $119,056
  • Information Systems Architect IV (7+ years): $140,210
  • Systems Architecture Specialist V (7-10 years): $168,116
  • Systems and Applications Architecture Supervisor (10+ years): $135,592
  • Systems and Applications Architecture Manager (10+ years): $152,617
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Information Systems Architect III4-7 years$119,056
Information Systems Architect IV7+ years$140,210
Systems Architecture Specialist V7-10 years$168,116
Systems and Applications Architecture Supervisor10+ years$135,592
Systems and Applications Architecture Manager10+ years$152,617
View as Graph

How Do Systems Architecture Specialist V 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 Architecture Specialist Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $186,140.
  • California: $185,440.
  • Massachusetts: $182,970.

Top Paying Cities for Systems Architecture Specialist Vs

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: $212,050
  • San Francisco: $209,730
  • Oakland: $205,310

What Skills Can Increase a Systems Architecture Specialist V's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.34% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Software Development (Mentioned in 2.75% Job Postings): Software development is the process of conceiving, specifying, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and bug fixing involved in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components. Software development is a process of writing and maintaining the source code, but in a broader sense, it includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to the final manifestation of the software, sometimes in a planned and structured process. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products. Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common being to meet specific needs of a specific client/business (the case with custom software), to meet a perceived need of some set of potential users (the case with commercial and open source software), or for personal use (e.g. a scientist may write software to automate a mundane task). Embedded software development, that is, the development of embedded software, such as used for controlling consumer products, requires the development process to be integrated with the development of the controlled physical product. System software underlies applications and the programming process itself, and is often developed separately.
  • Python (Mentioned in 1.44% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.34%
Software Development 2.75%
Python 1.44%
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 Architecture Specialist V's salary.

  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Systems Architecture: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Partnering $178,207
6%
Systems Architecture $176,526
5%
Commitment $174,845
4%
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Systems Architecture Specialist V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Systems Architecture Specialist V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $187,688. While startup companies pay approximate $158,924.

Systems Architecture Specialist V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $158,924
Growth Stage 51~500 $168,043
Established 501~5000 $181,228
Enterprise 5000+ $187,688

Systems Architecture Specialist V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Systems Architecture Specialist V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Systems Architecture Specialist positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Systems Architecture Specialist V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Systems Architecture Specialist V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$184,932$89.010%
Energy & Utilities$184,932$89.010%
Financial Services$184,932$89.010%
Pharmaceuticals$184,932$89.010%
Software & Networking$184,932$89.010%

How Education impacts a Systems Architecture Specialist V's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Systems Architecture Specialist Vs 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 Systems Architecture Specialist V with a Bachelor's Degree is between $165,342 and $172,857).

Systems Architecture Specialist V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Systems Architecture Specialist V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.6%
High School 11.9%
Associates 6.7%
Bachelors 49.5%
Masters 27.3%
Doctorate 2.1%
View as Graph

Systems Architecture Specialist V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Systems Architecture Specialist V'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 October 01, 2026
$156,850
Average $168,120/year
$177,330
$13,071
Average $14,010/month
$14,778
$3,016
Average $3,233/week
$3,410
$75
Average $81/hour
$85
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $177,330 $14,778 $3,410 $85
Average $168,120 $14,010 $3,233 $81
25th Percentile $156,850 $13,071 $3,016 $75

Systems Architecture Specialist V Salary Growth & Career Path

Systems Architecture Specialist V

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Systems Architecture Specialist V, 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 and Applications Architecture Supervisor $135,600 -19%
Cloud Computing Supervisor $135,900 -19%
Enterprise Infrastructure Design Supervisor $153,900 -8%
IT Infrastructure Operations Supervisor $105,100 -37%

Most common benefits for Systems Architecture Specialist V

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

Common company salaries for Systems Architecture Specialist V

Here are companies hiring for Systems Architecture Specialist V and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Systems Architecture Specialist V

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Systems Architecture Specialist V?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Systems Architecture Specialist V roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. How much do software systems architects make in the US?

In the U.S., Systems Architecture Specialists earn between $160,250 and $188,640 annually, with a median salary of $174,190. Related high-paying positions include Systems Architect at $224,334, Senior Systems Architect at $149,249, and Computer Systems Engineer Architect at $132,500.

3. Can architects make 7 figures?

While it's challenging for Systems Architecture Specialists to reach a 7-figure salary, they can earn a competitive income. With a minimum salary of $160,250, a mid-range salary of $174,190, and a maximum salary of $188,640, experienced professionals can significantly increase their value and potentially work towards higher earnings in top firms.

4. Who is the richest architect?

While the annual salary of a Systems Architecture Specialist ranges from $160,250 to $188,640, the most successful professionals in the field can earn significantly more. Notably, top specialists often command salaries that reflect their expertise and reputation, making them some of the highest earners in the tech industry.

5. What is a low 6 figure salary?

A low 6-figure salary typically starts around $100,000. For a Systems Architecture Specialist, the salary range is significantly higher, with a minimum of $160,250, a mid-salary of $174,190, and a maximum of $188,640. This indicates that even the lowest salary in this field exceeds the threshold for a low 6-figure income.

6. Which architecture has the highest salary?

The salary data for a Systems Architecture Specialist indicates a minimum salary of $160,250, a mid-range salary of $174,190, and a maximum salary of $188,640. This suggests that professionals in this field can earn competitive salaries, particularly in sectors like construction, real estate, and infrastructure.

7. Can architects make 200K?

While it's possible for architects to approach $200K, it's typically in limited roles such as Partner or Principal at a major AEC firm. The salary range for a Systems Architecture Specialist is between $160,250 and $188,640, with a mid-salary of $174,190, indicating that reaching $200K is rare and usually requires significant experience and responsibility.

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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