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Software Support Engineer I Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Support Engineer I in the United States is $69,468 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,562
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,434 to $75,275
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,030
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Support Engineer I Salaries

A Software Support Engineer 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software Support Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Support Engineer 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:

  • Software Support Engineer I (0-2 years): $69,468
  • Software Support Engineer II (2-4 years): $83,303
  • Software Support Engineer III (4-7 years): $113,183
  • Software Support Manager (7+ years): $127,281
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Support Engineer I0-2 years$69,468
Software Support Engineer II2-4 years$83,303
Software Support Engineer III4-7 years$113,183
Software Support Manager7+ years$127,281
View as Graph

How Do Software Support Engineer Is 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 Support Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $76,915.
  • California: $76,623.
  • Massachusetts: $75,602.

Top Paying Cities for Software Support Engineer I

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: $87,620
  • San Francisco: $86,661
  • Oakland: $84,834

What Skills Can Increase a Software 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 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 $77,804
12%
Team Development $73,636
6%
API $72,941
5%
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Software Support Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software 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 $77,765. While startup companies pay approximate $65,788.

Software Support Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,788
Growth Stage 51~500 $69,578
Established 501~5000 $75,096
Enterprise 5000+ $77,765

Software Support Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Software Support Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$83,362$40.020%
Biotechnology$83,362$40.020%
Business Services$83,362$40.020%
Chemicals$83,362$40.020%
Construction$83,362$40.020%

How Education impacts an Software Support Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Support Engineer I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Software Support Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $72,815 and $78,346.

Software Support Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software 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 Support Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software 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 August 01, 2026
$62,434
Average $69,468/year
$75,275
$5,203
Average $5,789/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 $75,275 $6,273 $1,448 $36
Average $69,468 $5,789 $1,336 $33
25th Percentile $62,434 $5,203 $1,201 $30

Software Support Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Support Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Software 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 Support Engineer II $93,093 34%
Aerospace Maintenance Engineer II $83,303 20%
Software Support Engineer II $83,303 20%

Most common benefits for Software Support Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Software Support Engineer I

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

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FAQ about Software Support Engineer I

1. Where can a Software Support Engineer I earn the most?

A Software Support Engineer I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Software Support Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Support Engineer I is $87,620.

2. What is the highest pay for Software Support Engineer I?

The highest pay for Software Support Engineer I is $80,562.

3. What is the lowest pay for Software Support Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Software Support Engineer I is $56,030.

4. What are the responsibilities of Software Support Engineer I?

Troubleshoots and develops technical solutions related to software and setup errors for field engineers, technicians, and customers. Creates workaround procedures when standard procedures have failed and ensures issues are resolved in a timely fashion. Escalates urgent problems requiring more in-depth knowledge to appropriate internal resources. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed.

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

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