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Software Support Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Support Manager in the United States is $127,281 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $144,458
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $115,909 to $136,272
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,555
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Support Manager Salaries

A Software Support Manager'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 Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Support Manager'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 Managers 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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $140,926.
  • California: $140,391.
  • Massachusetts: $138,520.

Top Paying Cities for Software Support Manager

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: $160,540
  • San Francisco: $158,782
  • Oakland: $155,436

What Skills Can Increase a Software Support Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.1% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Software Engineering (Mentioned in 2.89% Job Postings): Software engineering is the application of engineering to the development of software in a systematic method. Notable definitions of software engineering include: "the systematic application of scientific and technological knowledge, methods, and experience to the design, implementation, testing, and documentation of software"—The Bureau of Labor Statistics—IEEE Systems and software engineering - Vocabulary "The application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software"—IEEE Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology "an engineering discipline that is concerned with all aspects of software production"—Ian Sommerville "the establishment and use of sound engineering principles in order to economically obtain software that is reliable and works efficiently on real machines"—Fritz Bauer
  • SQL (Mentioned in 1.24% 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 6.1%
Software Engineering 2.89%
SQL 1.24%
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 Manager's salary.

  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Code Review: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Software Development Life Cycle: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Machine Learning $147,646
16%
Code Review $145,100
14%
Software Development Life Cycle $142,555
12%
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Software Support Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Support Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $142,484. While startup companies pay approximate $120,538.

Software Support Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $120,538
Growth Stage 51~500 $127,483
Established 501~5000 $137,593
Enterprise 5000+ $142,484

Software Support Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Support Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Software Support Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Support Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Support Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$146,373$70.015%
Pharmaceuticals$146,373$70.015%
Biotechnology$140,009$67.010%
Financial Services$140,009$67.010%
Internet$140,009$67.010%

How Education impacts an Software Support Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Support Manager 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 Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $124,242 and $135,169.

Software Support Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Support Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 13.2%
Associates 10.8%
Bachelors 54.2%
Masters 19.7%
Doctorate 1.3%
View as Graph

Software Support Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Support Manager'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
$115,909
Average $127,281/year
$136,272
$9,659
Average $10,607/month
$11,356
$2,229
Average $2,448/week
$2,621
$56
Average $61/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $136,272 $11,356 $2,621 $66
Average $127,281 $10,607 $2,448 $61
25th Percentile $115,909 $9,659 $2,229 $56

Software Support Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Support Manager

Next Role

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Software Support Manager, 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 Engineering Senior Manager $160,395 26%
Aerospace Maintenance Engineering Senior Manager $166,311 31%

Most common benefits for Software Support Manager

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

Common company salaries for Software Support Manager

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

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FAQ about Software Support Manager

1. Where can a Software Support Manager earn the most?

A Software Support Manager'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 Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Support Manager is $160,540.

2. What is the highest pay for Software Support Manager?

The highest pay for Software Support Manager is $144,458.

3. What is the lowest pay for Software Support Manager?

The lowest pay for Software Support Manager is $105,555.

4. What are the responsibilities of Software Support Manager?

Oversees software support staff. Manages department budget to ensure goals are met. Establishes and maintains relationships with engineering and software development. Provides advanced troubleshooting skills to resolve technical problems. Researches, reports and corrects any quality assurance issues. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Extensive knowledge of department processes. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 to 3 years supervisory experience may be required.

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

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Support Manager roles, with salaries approximately 15% 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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