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Software Engineering Technician Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Engineering Technician make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Engineering Technician in the United States is $115,297 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

However, a Software Engineering Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $134,539
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,600 to $125,369
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $94,861
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Engineering Technician Salaries

A Software Engineering Technician'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 Engineering Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Engineering Technician'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): $75,270
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $96,307
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,525
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $131,406
  • Expert (over 8 years): $165,247
Levels Salary
Package D... Level Software Engineering Technician$75,270
Package D... Level Software Engineering Technician$96,307
Software ... Level Software Engineering Technician$117,525
Package D... Level Software Engineering Technician$131,406
Package D... Level Software Engineering Technician$165,247
View as Graph

How Do Software Engineering Technician 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 Engineering Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $127,657.
  • California: $127,173.
  • Massachusetts: $125,478.

Top Paying Cities for Software Engineering Technicians

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: $145,424
  • San Francisco: $143,832
  • Oakland: $140,801

What Skills Can Increase a Software Engineering Technician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Communication Skills (Mentioned in 2.7% Job Postings): Communication skills are your ability to share or understand information, ideas, and feelings successfully.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 8.11% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Illustration (Mentioned in 5.41% Job Postings): Using creative artwork to explain or depict a particular meaning to come across the viewer's mind.
Skills Demand Percentage
Communication Skills 2.7%
Packaging 8.11%
Illustration 5.41%
See More Skills

Software Engineering Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Engineering Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Engineering Technician positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Engineering Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Software Engineering Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$138,356$67.020%

Software Engineering Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Engineering Technician'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 September 01, 2026
$104,600
Average $115,297/year
$125,369
$8,717
Average $9,608/month
$10,447
$2,012
Average $2,217/week
$2,411
$50
Average $55/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,369 $10,447 $2,411 $60
Average $115,297 $9,608 $2,217 $55
25th Percentile $104,600 $8,717 $2,012 $50

Most common benefits for Software Engineering Technician

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

Common company salaries for Software Engineering Technician

Here are companies hiring for Software Engineering Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Software Engineering Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Engineering Technician?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Engineering Technician roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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