What are the main factors that influence a Software Systems Engineer III's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Software Systems Engineer 's salary?

A Software Systems Engineer 's salary grows with experience: a Software Systems Engineer I (0-2 years)earns $82,732, a Software Systems Engineer II (2-4 years)earns $101,588, a Software Systems Engineer III (4-7 years)earns $117,848, a Software Systems Engineer IV (7+ years)earns $144,250, a Software Systems Engineer V (7-10 years)earns $165,276,

What are the highest paying states for a Software Systems Engineer III?

Software Systems Engineer III salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Software Systems Engineer III roles are District of Columbia $130,481, California $129,986, Massachusetts $128,254. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Software Systems Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Software Systems Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Software Systems Developer III: $128,725; Software Engineer III: $128,690; Electronic Systems Engineer III: $120,790; Software Systems Programmer III: $118,410; Enterprise Systems Engineer III: $117,900.

How do different companies affect a Software Systems Engineer III's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for Software Systems Engineer III roles. Large, established industry leaders like C R Bard Inc ($128,509) and Henry Schein Canada ($124,697) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $82,041.

Software Systems Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Systems Engineer III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Systems Engineer III in the United States is $117,848 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,286
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,726 to $128,546
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $100,421

10% $100,421

50% (Median) $117,848

90% $138,286

Software Systems Engineer III Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$128,546	$10,712	$2,472	$62
Average	$117,848	$9,821	$2,266	$57
25th Percentile	$108,726	$9,061	$2,091	$52

Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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Key Factors That Influence Software Systems Engineer III Salaries

A Software Systems Engineer III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Systems Engineer III'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): $82,732
Software Systems Engineer II (2-4 years): $101,588
Software Systems Engineer III (4-7 years): $117,848
Software Systems Engineer IV (7+ years): $144,250
Software Systems Engineer V (7-10 years): $165,276

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Software Systems Engineer I	0-2 years	$82,732
Software Systems Engineer II	2-4 years	$101,588
Software Systems Engineer III	4-7 years	$117,848
Software Systems Engineer IV	7+ years	$144,250
Software Systems Engineer V	7-10 years	$165,276

View as Graph

How Do Software Systems Engineer IIIs 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 Systems Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $130,481.
California: $129,986.
Massachusetts: $128,254.

District of Columbia $130,481 California $129,986 Massachusetts $128,254 Washington $127,783 New Jersey $127,735 Alaska $127,570 Connecticut $125,944 New York $125,284

Hawaii $123,175 Rhode Island $122,185 Maryland $121,513 Minnesota $120,594 Colorado $120,240 Illinois $120,122 Oregon $119,675 Delaware $119,345

New Hampshire $119,137 Virginia $118,673 Pennsylvania $117,318 Nevada $116,634 North Dakota $116,410 Michigan $116,057 Wisconsin $115,927 Vermont $115,668

Texas $114,949 Maine $114,902 Arizona $114,831 Ohio $114,749 Georgia $113,664 Indiana $113,122 Wyoming $113,016 Utah $112,851

Iowa $112,781 Kansas $112,215 Louisiana $112,050 North Carolina $111,991 Missouri $111,967 Florida $111,508 Montana $111,260 Nebraska $111,025

Kentucky $110,895 South Carolina $110,424 Tennessee $110,129 Idaho $110,011 New Mexico $109,151 Oklahoma $108,962 Alabama $108,267 South Dakota $107,100

Arkansas $106,464 West Virginia $106,122 Mississippi $105,097

Top Paying Cities for Software Systems Engineer III

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: $148,642
San Francisco: $147,014
Oakland: $143,916

San Jose, CA $148,642

San Francisco, CA $147,014

Oakland, CA $143,916

New York, NY $135,689

Paramus, NJ $134,039

Queens Village, NY $134,033

Passaic, NJ $133,921

Bergenfield, NJ $133,911

Stamford, CT $133,651

Huntington, NY $133,603

Newark, NJ $132,732

Bridgeport, CT $132,484

Vallejo, CA $132,249

New Brunswick, NJ $132,202

Petaluma, CA $132,131

Middlesex, NJ $131,907

Somerset, NJ $131,825

Santa Cruz, CA $131,672

Boston, MA $130,953

Monterey, CA $130,539

Seattle, WA $130,269

Santa Rosa, CA $130,246

Los Angeles, CA $130,210

Juneau, AK $129,904

Washington, DC $129,774

Orange, CA $129,355

Santa Ana, CA $129,044

Long Beach, CA $128,926

Anaheim, CA $128,902

Anchorage, AK $128,843

Santa Maria, CA $128,490

Everett, WA $128,466

Danbury, CT $128,051

Bremerton, WA $127,889

Tacoma, WA $127,464

New Suffolk, NY $127,462

Sacramento, CA $127,429

Santa Barbara, CA $127,299

Trenton, NJ $127,170

San Diego, CA $127,170

Brockton, MA $127,040

Fairbanks, AK $126,751

Lompoc, CA $126,451

Lowell, MA $126,355

Ventura, CA $126,333

Nashua, NH $126,309

Stockton, CA $126,298

Modesto, CA $125,437

Poughkeepsie, NY $125,178

Olympia, WA $124,954

Kennewick, WA $124,954

New Haven, CT $124,907

Lawrence, MA $124,483

Hartford, CT $124,365

Riverside, CA $124,341

New Bedford, MA $124,224

Richland, WA $124,224

Bakersfield, CA $124,059

San Bernardino, CA $124,011

New Britain, CT $124,000

Atlantic City, NJ $124,000

New London, CT $123,953

Norwich, CT $123,917

Portsmouth, NH $123,894

Boulder, CO $123,644

Portland, OR $123,481

Worcester, MA $123,469

Minneapolis, MN $123,104

Philadelphia, PA $122,939

Honolulu, HI $122,550

Saint Paul, MN $122,494

Vineland, NJ $122,468

Providence, RI $122,126

Chicago, IL $121,784

Bellingham, WA $121,643

Springfield, MA $121,548

Baltimore, MD $121,513

Chico, CA $121,218

Pittsfield, MA $120,900

Manchester, NH $120,676

Spokane, WA $120,158

Denver, CO $120,146

Albany, NY $119,592

Troy, NY $119,545

Nassau, NY $119,419

Schenectady, NY $119,298

Wilmington, DE $119,203

Burlington, VT $119,038

Salem, OR $118,991

Portland, ME $118,626

Yakima, WA $118,508

Rochester, MN $118,143

Reno, NV $118,084

Fresno, CA $118,084

Milwaukee, WI $117,978

Detroit, MI $117,860

Ann Arbor, MI $117,840

Allentown, PA $117,824

Colorado Springs, CO $117,624

Syracuse, NY $117,565

Carson City, NV $117,565

Houston, TX $117,400

Eugene, OR $117,341

Gary, IN $117,200

Springfield, OR $117,106

Bismarck, ND $117,082

Galveston, TX $116,999

Medford, OR $116,823

Fort Collins, CO $116,776

Concord, NH $116,717

Austin, TX $116,681

Mesa, AZ $116,434

Reading, PA $116,422

Phoenix, AZ $116,410

Dallas, TX $116,375

Saint Cloud, MN $116,262

Madison, WI $116,104

Utica, NY $115,786

Rochester, NY $115,597

Des Moines, IA $115,585

Raleigh, NC $115,574

Atlanta, GA $115,397

Battle Creek, MI $115,361

Salt Lake City, UT $115,326

Lancaster, PA $115,149

Harrisburg, PA $114,984

Kansas City, MO $114,866

Champaign, IL $114,843

Kansas City, KS $114,843

Fort Worth, TX $114,831

Columbus, OH $114,811

Boca Raton, FL $114,784

Pittsburgh, PA $114,737

Richmond, VA $114,690

Indianapolis, IN $114,666

Cleveland, OH $114,654

Las Vegas, NV $114,513

Cincinnati, OH $114,513

Petersburg, VA $114,336

Huntsville, AL $114,159

Lansing, MI $114,080

Lebanon, PA $114,065

Pueblo, CO $114,053

Appleton, WI $114,018

Buffalo, NY $113,971

Dayton, OH $113,935

Racine, WI $113,912

Charlotte, NC $113,900

Saint Louis, MO $113,865

York, PA $113,794

Elkhart, IN $113,794

Gastonia, NC $113,772

Billings, MT $113,743

Beaumont, TX $113,712

Lorain, OH $113,688

Benton Harbor, MI $113,664

Toledo, OH $113,641

Binghamton, NY $113,582

Rock Hill, SC $113,570

Rockford, IL $113,511

Springfield, IL $113,464

Elyria, OH $113,452

Fargo, ND $113,452

Flagstaff, AZ $113,370

Fort Lauderdale, FL $113,299

Duluth, MN $113,228

Miami, FL $113,228

Cheyenne, WY $113,146

Grand Forks, ND $113,146

Bangor, ME $112,887

Cedar Rapids, IA $112,757

Durham, NC $112,707

Louisville, KY $112,698

Grand Rapids, MI $112,674

Hialeah, FL $112,663

Casper, WY $112,498

Scranton, PA $112,356

New Orleans, LA $112,321

Virginia Beach, VA $112,309

Akron, OH $112,250

Peoria, IL $112,097

Sarasota, FL $112,073

Nashville, TN $111,991

Omaha, NE $111,991

Green Bay, WI $111,991

Baton Rouge, LA $111,932

Charleston, SC $111,908

Jamestown, NY $111,850

Davenport, IA $111,850

Tucson, AZ $111,791

Saint Petersburg, FL $111,720

Tampa, FL $111,696

Evansville, IN $111,626

Port Arthur, TX $111,626

Bradenton, FL $111,578

Santa Fe, NM $111,366

Orlando, FL $111,154

Clearwater, FL $111,119

Canton, OH $110,871

La Crosse, WI $110,871

Albuquerque, NM $110,801

Newport News, VA $110,789

High Point, NC $110,754

Ogden, UT $110,706

Corpus Christi, TX $110,612

Norfolk, VA $110,541

Laramie, WY $110,541

Rock Island, IL $110,471

Saginaw, MI $110,447

Jacksonville, FL $110,435

Salisbury, NC $110,412

Boise, ID $110,388

Moline, IL $110,329

Fort Myers, FL $110,294

Memphis, TN $110,270

Tulsa, OK $110,211

Waterloo, IA $110,141

Spartanburg, SC $110,023

Lincoln, NE $109,964

Fort Wayne, IN $109,940

Provo, UT $109,929

Cedar Falls, IA $109,787

San Antonio, TX $109,740

Greensboro, NC $109,693

South Bend, IN $109,681

Savannah, GA $109,552

Muskegon, MI $109,504

Birmingham, AL $109,493

Winston Salem, NC $109,435

Lake Charles, LA $109,151

Anderson, IN $109,127

Lexington, KY $109,092

Augusta, GA $109,057

Greenville, SC $109,057

Lima, OH $108,962

Wichita, KS $108,950

Tuscaloosa, AL $108,950

Columbia, SC $108,844

Springfield, OH $108,821

Asheville, NC $108,632

Bloomington, IN $108,550

Knoxville, TN $108,126

Shreveport, LA $108,114

Wilmington, NC $107,961

Roanoke, VA $107,961

Topeka, KS $107,748

Frankfort, KY $107,735

Oklahoma City, OK $107,654

Chillicothe, OH $107,607

Longview, TX $107,595

Melbourne, FL $107,583

Sioux Falls, SD $107,395

Mobile, AL $107,383

Terre Haute, IN $107,336

Altoona, PA $107,265

Amarillo, TX $107,183

Killeen, TX $107,147

Fayetteville, AR $107,053

Chattanooga, TN $107,018

Sioux City, IA $106,912

Idaho Falls, ID $106,888

Lynchburg, VA $106,794

Gainesville, FL $106,641

Portsmouth, OH $106,582

Little Rock, AR $106,558

Lafayette, LA $106,511

Youngstown, OH $106,511

Daytona Beach, FL $106,440

Clarksville, TN $106,429

Pensacola, FL $106,417

Temple, TX $106,408

Hopkinsville, KY $106,063

Erie, PA $106,040

Florence, SC $105,992

Charleston, WV $105,804

Great Falls, MT $105,745

Macon, GA $105,580

Tallahassee, FL $105,568

Fayetteville, NC $105,545

Waco, TX $105,521

Helena, MT $105,439

Pine Bluff, AR $105,394

Vincennes, IN $105,250

Lubbock, TX $105,203

Alamogordo, NM $105,132

Twin Falls, ID $105,026

Rapid City, SD $104,991

Jackson, MS $104,779

Huntington, WV $104,770

Greenville, MS $104,767

Parkersburg, WV $104,647

Montgomery, AL $104,625

Wichita Falls, TX $104,508

Springfield, MO $104,508

Biloxi, MS $104,449

Monroe, LA $104,331

Johnstown, PA $104,248

Sumter, SC $104,201

Columbus, GA $104,189

Pascagoula, MS $103,966

Abilene, TX $103,966

Kingsport, TN $103,659

Albany, GA $103,659

Gulfport, MS $103,624

Alexandria, LA $103,235

Fort Smith, AR $102,940

El Paso, TX $102,622

Las Cruces, NM $102,092

Harlingen, TX $101,792

Pocatello, ID $101,774

Florence, AL $101,620

Brownsville, TX $101,597

Mcallen, TX $101,349

Dothan, AL $101,184

Columbus, MS $100,484

Altus, OK $99,935

Lawton, OK $99,711

Pierre, SD $99,287

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Analysis (Mentioned in 7.66% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Python (Mentioned in 2.51% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
Kubernetes (Mentioned in 1.73% Job Postings): Applying Kubernetes to automate deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

Skills	Demand Percentage
Analysis	7.66%
Python	2.51%
Kubernetes	1.73%

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 Systems Engineer III's salary.

Kubernetes: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
DevOps: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Kubernetes	$120,205	2%
Agile	$120,205	2%
DevOps	$120,205	2%

Get Latest Data

Software Systems Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Systems Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $131,924. While startup companies pay approximate $111,605.

Software Systems Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$111,605
Growth Stage	51~500	$118,035
Established	501~5000	$127,396
Enterprise	5000+	$131,924

Software Systems Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Systems Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Software Systems Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Systems Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Systems Engineer III

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking	$164,987	$79.0	40%
Energy & Utilities	$135,525	$65.0	15%
Aerospace & Defense	$131,990	$63.0	12%
Insurance	$127,276	$61.0	8%
Biotechnology	$123,740	$59.0	5%

How Education impacts an Software Systems Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Systems Engineer III 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 Systems Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $112,870 and $118,769.

Software Systems Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

$120,100
$118,700
$117,400
$116,100
$114,800
$113,400
$112,100
$110,800

Typical Education for Software Systems Engineer III
Degree Level	% of user with this level of education
No Diploma	1.9%
High School	22.2%
Associates	5.6%
Bachelors	55.6%
Masters	14.8%
Doctorate	0.0%

View as Graph

Software Systems Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Systems Engineer III'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.

$108,726

Average $117,848/year

$128,546

$9,061

Average $9,821/month

$10,712

$2,091

Average $2,266/week

$2,472

$52

Average $57/hour

$62

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$128,546	$10,712	$2,472	$62
Average	$117,848	$9,821	$2,266	$57
25th Percentile	$108,726	$9,061	$2,091	$52

Software Systems Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Systems Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Software Systems Engineer III, 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 Systems Engineer III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role	Estimate Salary	Projected Raise
Software Systems Developer IV	$143,177	21%
ERP Configuration Specialist IV	$149,121	27%
Software Systems Engineer IV	$144,250	22%
Software Systems Programmer IV	$138,461	17%

Salary Trends for Software Systems Engineer III

Salaries for a Software Systems Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $119,452 in 2023 to around $119,881 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Systems Engineer III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Systems Engineer III Over Time

$???
$119,452
$121,107
$119,881
$???
$???

2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$119,452
2024	$121,107
2025	$119,881
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for Software Systems Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Software Systems Engineer III

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

C $128,509/per year

C R Bard Inc Biotechnology the United States

H $124,697/per year

Henry Schein Canada Biotechnology the United States

N $123,899/per year

Nordex Inc Biotechnology the United States

N $120,416/per year

Nipro Corp Biotechnology the United States

E $115,870/per year

Enovis Biotechnology the United States

A $114,553/per year

Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy Biotechnology the United States

M $112,110/per year

MiniMed Inc Biotechnology the United States

L $111,500/per year

Labcorp Drug Development Biotechnology the United States

L $110,229/per year

Life Technologies Corp Biotechnology the United States

Z $106,224/per year

Zimmer Biomet Biotechnology the United States

P $103,077/per year

Promontory Therapeutics Biotechnology the United States

S $102,181/per year

Steris PLC Biotechnology the United States

G $97,274/per year

Gavin Conferences Pty Ltd Biotechnology the United States

E $94,764/per year

Endeavor BioMedicines Biotechnology the United States

R $94,402/per year

Replay Holdings LLC Biotechnology the United States

P $94,235/per year

Pleno Inc Biotechnology the United States

S $93,666/per year

Simulaids Inc Biotechnology the United States

N $88,880/per year

NOIRLab/CAS Biotechnology the United States

O $86,468/per year

Onward Technology Biotechnology the United States

L $84,895/per year

LED Medical Diagnostics Inc Biotechnology the United States

E $84,682/per year

Eyeco Ltd Biotechnology the United States

P $84,523/per year

Paerosol Biotechnology the United States

I $83,525/per year

IONIQ Sciences Inc Biotechnology the United States

S $82,815/per year

Stateside PPE Biotechnology the United States

D $82,041/per year

Digi Bio Biotechnology the United States

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FAQ about Software Systems Engineer III

1. Where can a Software Systems Engineer III earn the most?

A Software Systems Engineer III'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 Systems Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Systems Engineer III is $148,642.

2. What is the highest pay for Software Systems Engineer III?

The highest pay for Software Systems Engineer III is $138,286.

3. What is the lowest pay for Software Systems Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Software Systems Engineer III is $100,421.

4. What are the responsibilities of Software Systems Engineer III?

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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Systems Engineer III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Systems Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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