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Software Support Engineer II Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Support Engineer II in the United States is $83,303 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $99,926
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,336 to $92,004
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,993

Key Factors That Influence Software Support Engineer II Salaries

A Software Support Engineer II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Support Engineer II'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

Top Paying Cities for Software Support Engineer II

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: $105,070
  • San Francisco: $103,920
  • Oakland: $101,730

What Skills Can Increase a Software Support Engineer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 8.37% 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 2.83% 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.
  • Software Development (Mentioned in 1.74% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 8.37%
Computer Science 2.83%
Software Development 1.74%

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 II's salary.

  • Tableau: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Product Support: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Tableau $90,800
9%
Python $88,301
6%
Product Support $88,301
6%

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

Software Support Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,253. While startup companies pay approximate $78,890.

Software Support Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $78,890
Growth Stage 51~500 $83,435
Established 501~5000 $90,052
Enterprise 5000+ $93,253

Software Support Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Support Engineer II 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 Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Support Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Support Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Support Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$99,964$48.020%
Aerospace & Defense$95,798$46.015%
Insurance$95,798$46.015%
Financial Services$91,633$44.010%
Healthcare$91,633$44.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Support Engineer II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $87,773 and $96,281.

Software Support Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Support Engineer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 13.2%
Associates 7.4%
Bachelors 57.9%
Masters 19.4%
Doctorate 0.4%

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

Understanding how a Software Support Engineer II'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
$76,336
Average $83,303/year
$92,004
$6,361
Average $6,942/month
$7,667
$1,468
Average $1,602/week
$1,769
$37
Average $40/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $92,004 $7,667 $1,769 $44
Average $83,303 $6,942 $1,602 $40
25th Percentile $76,336 $6,361 $1,468 $37

Software Support Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

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

Software Support Engineer II Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aircraft Support Engineer III $102,627 23%
Aerospace Maintenance Engineer III $98,678 18%
Software Support Engineer III $113,183 36%

Most common benefits for Software Support Engineer II

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

Common company salaries for Software Support Engineer II

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

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FAQ about Software Support Engineer II

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

A Software Support Engineer II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Support Engineer II is $105,070.

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

The highest pay for Software Support Engineer II is $99,926.

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

The lowest pay for Software Support Engineer II is $69,993.

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

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 2 to 4 years of related experience. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work.

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

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Support Engineer II 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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