System Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does a System Engineering make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a System Engineering in the United States is $64,502 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,603
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,640 to $73,453
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,393
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View as table View as graph 25% $57,640 10% $51,393 90% $81,603 75% $73,453 $64,502 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

System Engineering Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $73,453 $6,121 $1,413 $35
Average $64,502 $5,375 $1,240 $31
25th Percentile $57,640 $4,803 $1,108 $28
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Key Factors That Influence System Engineering Salaries

A System Engineering'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 System Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a System Engineering'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): $65,931
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $78,888
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,363
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $125,947
  • Expert (over 8 years): $150,261
Levels Salary
System En... Level System Engineering$65,931
Systems S... Level System Engineering$78,888
Systems A... Level System Engineering$116,363
Systems A... Level System Engineering$125,947
Systems A... Level System Engineering$150,261
$65,931 0 yr
$78,888 < 2 yrs
$116,363 2-4 yrs
$125,947 5-8 yrs
$150,261 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for System Engineerings

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: $81,356
  • San Francisco: $80,465
  • Oakland: $78,769

What Skills Can Increase a System Engineering's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.88% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 2.61% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
  • ERP Systems (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Leveraging advanced tools and software systems to automate and manage core business functions cost-effectively to maximize performance.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.88%
Business Administration 2.61%
ERP Systems 1.79%
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 System Engineering's salary.
  • UAT: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • System Requirements: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • SQL: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
UAT
$79,337
23%
System Requirements
$72,887
13%
SQL
$71,597
11%
ERP
$71,597
11%
Business Administration
$69,662
8%
Salesforce
$69,662
8%
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How Education impacts a System Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many System Engineerings enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 System Engineering with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $56,677 and $61,875).

System Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for System Engineering
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 31.4%
Associates 31.4%
Bachelors 34.3%
Masters 2.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
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System Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a System Engineering'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 May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for System Engineering

Salaries for a System Engineering can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,080 in 2023 to around $53,353 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of System Engineering salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of System Engineering Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,080
2024
$53,857
2025
$53,353
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,080
2024 $53,857
2025 $53,353
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for System Engineering

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for System Engineering

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current System Engineering job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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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