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

What is the hourly salary range of Software Systems Engineer II?

As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Software Systems Engineer II in the United States is $49, which translates to an annual salary of about $101,576.

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): $57 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45 to $53 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42 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% $45 10% $42 90% $57 75% $53 $49 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Systems Engineer II Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $110,624 $9,219 $2,127 $53
Average $101,576 $8,465 $1,953 $49
25th Percentile $94,063 $7,839 $1,809 $45
Check out Software Systems Engineer II Job Openings in the United States
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Secmation - Dayton, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Software Systems Engineer II Salaries

A Software Systems 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 Systems Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Systems 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 Systems Engineer I (0-2 years): $82,720
  • Software Systems Engineer II (2-4 years): $101,576
  • Software Systems Engineer III (4-7 years): $117,849
  • Software Systems Engineer IV (7+ years): $144,228
  • Software Systems Engineer V (7-10 years): $165,275
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Systems Engineer I0-2 years$82,720
Software Systems Engineer II2-4 years$101,576
Software Systems Engineer III4-7 years$117,849
Software Systems Engineer IV7+ years$144,228
Software Systems Engineer V7-10 years$165,275
$82,720 Software ...
$101,576 Software ...
$117,849 Software ...
$144,228 Software ...
$165,275 Software ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Systems Engineer IIs

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: $128,118
  • San Francisco: $126,715
  • Oakland: $124,045

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.46% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Active Directory (Mentioned in 2.21% Job Postings): Active Directory (AD) is Microsoft's proprietary directory service. It runs on Windows Server and enables administrators to manage permissions and access to network resources.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 1.8% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.46%
Active Directory 2.21%
Installation 1.8%
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 II's salary.
  • Open Source: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Open Source
 $106,655
5%
Commitment
 $106,655
5%
Team Development
 $105,639
4%
Program Management
 $105,639
4%
Systems Architecture
 $104,623
3%
AWS
 $104,623
3%
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How Education impacts a Software Systems Engineer II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Systems Engineer IIs 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 II with a No Diploma is between $88,589 and $94,835).

Software Systems Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Systems Engineer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 9.4%
Associates 9.4%
Bachelors 66.0%
Masters 11.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Software Systems Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Systems 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 01, 2026
$94,063
Average $101,576/year
$110,624
$7,839
Average $8,465/month
$9,219
$1,809
Average $1,953/week
$2,127
$45
Average $49/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $110,624 $9,219 $2,127 $53
Average $101,576 $8,465 $1,953 $49
25th Percentile $94,063 $7,839 $1,809 $45

Salaries of jobs related to Software Systems Engineer II

Salary Trends for Software Systems Engineer II

Salaries for a Software Systems Engineer II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $102,627 in 2023 to around $102,912 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Systems Engineer II salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Systems Engineer II Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$102,627
2024
$104,196
2025
$102,912
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $102,627
2024 $104,196
2025 $102,912
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Software Systems Engineer II

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

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FAQ about Software Systems Engineer II

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

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

2. What are the skills of Software Systems Engineer II

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.)

Active Directory: Active Directory (AD) is Microsoft's proprietary directory service. It runs on Windows Server and enables administrators to manage permissions and access to network resources.

3.)

Installation: The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.

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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