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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a System Engineer in Massachusetts is $128,735 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.
However, a System Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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System Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $140,517 | $11,710 | $2,702 | $68 |
| Average | $128,735 | $10,728 | $2,476 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,858 | $9,905 | $2,286 | $57 |
www.wingbrace.com - Lincoln, MA
Full Spectrum - Westborough, MA
EdgeTech - West Wareham, MA
System One - Tewksbury, MA
A System Engineer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a System Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $89,767 |
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $110,227 |
| System En... Level System Engineer | $127,869 |
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $156,516 |
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $179,330 |
What Am I Worth?
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 System Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For System Engineer 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, System Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view System Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $180,229 | $87.0 | 40% |
| Energy & Utilities | $148,045 | $71.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $144,183 | $69.0 | 12% |
| Insurance | $139,034 | $67.0 | 8% |
| Biotechnology | $135,172 | $65.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a System Engineer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $140,517 | $11,710 | $2,702 | $68 |
| Average | $128,735 | $10,728 | $2,476 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,858 | $9,905 | $2,286 | $57 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current System Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Viken Detection
Burlington, MA
Viken Detection | Burlington, MA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. JOB PURPOSE. The Senior Systems Engineer is responsible for focusing on the challenges of integrating comple... more
8 Days Ago
www.wingbrace.com
Lincoln, MA
www.wingbrace.com | Lincoln, MA
Job Description. Job Description. Model Based Systems Engineer- SR Level. Lincoln, Mass. . Full Time- 4-5 days onsite. – with flexible start and end times.... more
7 Days Ago
Merlin Labs
Boston, MA
Merlin Labs | Boston, MA
Job Description. Job Description. About Merlin. Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and unc... more
8 Days Ago
Tier4 Group
Quincy, MA
Tier4 Group | Quincy, MA
Job Description. Job Description. POSITION SUMMARY. This position will report to the MMIS Technical Manager and will serve as the Senior System Analyst for... more
7 Days Ago
5 Tool Performance
Westwood, MA
5 Tool Performance | Westwood, MA
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Employee discounts. Opportunity for advancement. Software Engineer (Part-Time) — Athlete Management System5 Too... more
4 Days Ago
Wabtec
Waltham, MA
Wabtec | Waltham, MA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. This position is part of Evident Inspection Technologies division, which delivers solutions to compl... more
6 Days Ago
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