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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a System Engineer in Pennsylvania is $117,758 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
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 | $128,535 | $10,711 | $2,472 | $62 |
| Average | $117,758 | $9,813 | $2,265 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,723 | $9,060 | $2,091 | $52 |
Maven Machines - Pittsburgh, PA
The Wenger Group - Lancaster, PA
Syzygy Integration - Conshohocken, PA
City of Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA
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 | $82,113 |
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $100,827 |
| System En... Level System Engineer | $116,966 |
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $143,170 |
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $164,039 |
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 | $164,861 | $79.0 | 40% |
| Energy & Utilities | $135,421 | $65.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $131,889 | $63.0 | 12% |
| Insurance | $127,178 | $61.0 | 8% |
| Biotechnology | $123,646 | $59.0 | 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 | $128,535 | $10,711 | $2,472 | $62 |
| Average | $117,758 | $9,813 | $2,265 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,723 | $9,060 | $2,091 | $52 |
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.
CSA Global LLC
Fort Indiantown Gap, PA
CSA Global LLC | Fort Indiantown Gap, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Client Solution Architects (CSA) is currently seeking a System Engineer MCIS to support our program at Fort ... more
6 Days Ago
Esperanza Health Center
Philadelphia, PA
Esperanza Health Center | Philadelphia, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: Systems Administrator & Network Engineer (Hybrid Role). Location: Hybrid (On-site + 1 Day Remote). Experience ... more
7 Days Ago
EHS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Philadelphia, PA
EHS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION | Philadelphia, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. GENERAL SUMMARY. Seeking candidates with Risk Management Framework (RMF) Information Systems Security Engine... more
5 Days Ago
Kinaras Solutions Inc
Philadelphia, PA
Kinaras Solutions Inc | Philadelphia, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Kinaras Solutions is recruiting pre-award for. Information System Security Engineer (ISSE) III. Position Overview. The In... more
5 Days Ago
NewAge Industries
Southampton, PA
NewAge Industries | Southampton, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. The Design Engineer – Single Use Systems and Components is responsible for the design, development, validati... more
8 Days Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: FPGA System Architect - Electronics Engineer Location: NRAO Central Development Lab, 1180 Boxwood Estate Rd, CH... more
6 Days Ago
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