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

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Software Systems Engineer I?

As of March 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Software Systems Engineer I in the United States is $40, which translates to an annual salary of about $82,713.

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): $48 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36 to $44 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33 per hour
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $36 10% $33 90% $48 75% $44 $40 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Systems Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $91,756 $7,646 $1,765 $44
Average $82,713 $6,893 $1,591 $40
25th Percentile $75,595 $6,300 $1,454 $36
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Key Factors That Influence Software Systems Engineer I Salaries

A Software Systems 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 Systems Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Systems 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 Systems Engineer I (0-2 years): $82,713
  • Software Systems Engineer II (2-4 years): $101,569
  • Software Systems Engineer III (4-7 years): $117,850
  • Software Systems Engineer IV (7+ years): $144,214
  • Software Systems Engineer V (7-10 years): $165,274
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Systems Engineer I0-2 years$82,713
Software Systems Engineer II2-4 years$101,569
Software Systems Engineer III4-7 years$117,850
Software Systems Engineer IV7+ years$144,214
Software Systems Engineer V7-10 years$165,274
$82,713 Software ...
$101,569 Software ...
$117,850 Software ...
$144,214 Software ...
$165,274 Software ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Systems Engineer 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: $104,326
  • San Francisco: $103,300
  • Oakland: $101,009

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.02% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Azure (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): Microsoft Azure, often referred to as Azure, is a cloud computing service operated by Microsoft for application management via Microsoft-managed data centers.
  • Cisco (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): Cisco Systems, Inc., commonly known as Cisco, is an American-based multinational technology conglomerate corporation headquartered in San Jose, California.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.02%
Azure 2.71%
Cisco 1.62%
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 Engineer I's salary.
  • IT Infrastructure: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
IT Infrastructure
 $90,984
10%
Python
 $90,984
10%
AWS
 $90,984
10%
Risk Management
 $90,984
10%
Team Development
 $90,157
9%
Collaboration
 $90,157
9%
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How Education impacts a Software Systems Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Systems Engineer Is enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Software Systems Engineer I with a No Diploma is between $68,885 and $75,174).

Software Systems Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Systems Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 14.3%
Associates 10.4%
Bachelors 61.0%
Masters 13.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Software Systems Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Systems 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on March 01, 2026
$75,595
Average $82,713/year
$91,756
$6,300
Average $6,893/month
$7,646
$1,454
Average $1,591/week
$1,765
$36
Average $40/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $91,756 $7,646 $1,765 $44
Average $82,713 $6,893 $1,591 $40
25th Percentile $75,595 $6,300 $1,454 $36

Salaries of jobs related to Software Systems Engineer I

Most common benefits for Software Systems Engineer I

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FAQ about Software Systems Engineer I

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

Designs, develops, supports, and maintains the organization's systems infrastructure. Writes code that ensures functionality of operating systems, drivers, and utility tools. Updates system related installation documentation and performs end-user support. Typically 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 Engineer 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.)

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.)

Azure: Microsoft Azure, often referred to as Azure, is a cloud computing service operated by Microsoft for application management via Microsoft-managed data centers.

3.)

Cisco: Cisco Systems, Inc., commonly known as Cisco, is an American-based multinational technology conglomerate corporation headquartered in San Jose, California.

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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