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

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Software Systems Engineer IV in the United States is $69, which translates to an annual salary of about $144,250.

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): $78 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65 to $74 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Systems Engineer IV Salaries

A Software Systems Engineer IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Systems Engineer IV'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 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
  • Software Systems Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $139,266
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Systems Engineer II2-4 years$101,588
Software Systems Engineer III4-7 years$117,848
Software Systems Engineer IV7+ years$144,250
Software Systems Engineer V7-10 years$165,276
Software Systems Engineering Supervisor10+ years$139,266
View as Graph

How Do Software Systems Engineer IVs 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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $159,714.
  • California: $159,108.
  • Massachusetts: $156,987.

Top Paying Cities for Software Systems Engineer IV

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: $181,943
  • San Francisco: $179,950
  • Oakland: $176,158

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.39% 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 2.19% 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 1.83% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.39%
Active Directory 2.19%
Installation 1.83%
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 IV's salary.

  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Systems Architecture: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Open Source: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Program Management $152,905
6%
Systems Architecture $150,020
4%
Open Source $150,020
4%
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Software Systems Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Systems Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $161,480. While startup companies pay approximate $136,608.

Software Systems Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $136,608
Growth Stage 51~500 $144,479
Established 501~5000 $155,937
Enterprise 5000+ $161,480

Software Systems Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Systems Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Software Systems Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Systems Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Systems Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$180,312$87.025%
Internet$180,312$87.025%
Software & Networking$180,312$87.025%
Financial Services$173,100$83.020%
Pharmaceuticals$173,100$83.020%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Systems Engineer IV 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 IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $130,636 and $138,041.

Software Systems Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Systems Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.1%
High School 16.3%
Associates 6.1%
Bachelors 55.1%
Masters 16.3%
Doctorate 2.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Software Systems Engineer IV'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
$135,706
Average $144,250/year
$153,989
$11,309
Average $12,021/month
$12,832
$2,610
Average $2,774/week
$2,961
$65
Average $69/hour
$74
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $153,989 $12,832 $2,961 $74
Average $144,250 $12,021 $2,774 $69
25th Percentile $135,706 $11,309 $2,610 $65

Most common benefits for Software Systems Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Software Systems Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Software Systems Engineer IV

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

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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Software Systems Engineer IV

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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