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Hourly Wage for Software Systems Developer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Systems Developer I make hourly?

As of January 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Software Systems Developer I in the United States is $38, which translates to an annual salary of about $79,814.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35 to $41 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $35 10% $32 90% $44 75% $41 $38 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Systems Developer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $86,275 $7,190 $1,659 $41
Average $79,814 $6,651 $1,535 $38
25th Percentile $73,005 $6,084 $1,404 $35
Check out Software Systems Developer I Job Openings in the United States
Senior Software Developer

PIMCO - NEWPORT BEACH, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Software Systems Developer I Salaries

A Software Systems Developer 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software Systems Developer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Systems Developer 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $79,306
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $80,007
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $81,453
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $81,743
  • Expert (over 8 years): $81,936
Levels Salary
Entry Level Software Systems Developer I$79,306
Intermediate Level Software Systems Developer I$80,007
Senior Level Software Systems Developer I$81,453
Specialist Level Software Systems Developer I$81,743
Expert Level Software Systems Developer I$81,936
$79,306 0 yr
$80,007 < 2 yrs
$81,453 2-4 yrs
$81,743 5-8 yrs
$81,936 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Systems Developer Is

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: $100,669
  • San Francisco: $99,680
  • Oakland: $97,469

What Skills Can Increase a Software Systems Developer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Risk Management (Mentioned in 4.09% Job Postings): Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.
  • Operating System (Mentioned in 2.44% Job Postings): Maintaining software that runs on a computer that serves as an interface between computer hardware components and the user.
  • ISO (Mentioned in 2.05% Job Postings): The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Risk Management 4.09%
Operating System 2.44%
ISO 2.05%
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 Systems Developer I's salary.
  • Application Security: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Virtualization: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Information Security: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Application Security
$102,960
29%
Virtualization
$90,190
13%
Information Security
$88,594
11%
ISO
$85,401
7%
Operating System
$84,603
6%
Program Management
$84,603
6%
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Software Systems Developer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Systems Developer 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Software Systems Developer I

Salaries for a Software Systems Developer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $77,001 in 2023 to around $76,822 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Systems Developer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Systems Developer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$77,001
2024
$77,303
2025
$76,822
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $77,001
2024 $77,303
2025 $76,822
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Software Systems Developer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Software Systems Developer I

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

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FAQ about Software Systems Developer I

1. What are the responsibilities of Software Systems Developer I?

Designs, analyzes, maintains, and tests software systems. Identifies and analyzes users' needs and preferences. Responsible for troubleshooting and resolving problems. Corrects programming errors, codes systems enhancements, and makes recommendations for improvements based on the findings. Stays current on emerging trends and software systems development best practices. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Software Systems Developer I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Risk Management: Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.

2.)

Operating System: Maintaining software that runs on a computer that serves as an interface between computer hardware components and the user.

3.)

ISO: The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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