Systems Engineer Master Salary in the United States

How much does a Systems Engineer Master make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Engineer Master in the United States is $146,973 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

However, a Systems Engineer Master's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $166,232
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,443 to $157,054
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $130,677
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View as table View as graph 25% $138,443 10% $130,677 90% $166,232 75% $157,054 $146,973 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Systems Engineer Master Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $157,054 $13,088 $3,020 $76
Average $146,973 $12,248 $2,826 $71
25th Percentile $138,443 $11,537 $2,662 $67
Check out Systems Engineer Master Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Systems Engineer Master Salaries

A Systems Engineer Master'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 Systems Engineer Master Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Systems Engineer Master'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): $141,763
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $142,402
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $143,040
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $145,338
  • Expert (over 8 years): $150,235
Levels Salary
Entry Level Systems Engineer Master$141,763
Intermediate Level Systems Engineer Master$142,402
Senior Level Systems Engineer Master$143,040
Specialist Level Systems Engineer Master$145,338
Expert Level Systems Engineer Master$150,235
$141,763 0 yr
$142,402 < 2 yrs
$143,040 2-4 yrs
$145,338 5-8 yrs
$150,235 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Systems Engineer Master 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 Systems Engineer Masters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $162,729.
  • California: $162,111.
  • Massachusetts: $159,951.

Top Paying Cities for Systems Engineer Masters

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: $185,377
  • San Francisco: $183,555
  • Oakland: $179,483

What Skills Can Increase a Systems Engineer Master'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.39%
Active Directory 2.19%
Installation 1.83%
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 Systems Engineer Master'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
$155,791
6%
Systems Architecture
$152,852
4%
Open Source
$152,852
4%
PowerShell
$152,852
4%
System Integration
$151,382
3%
Collaboration
$151,382
3%
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How Education impacts a Systems Engineer Master's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Systems Engineer Masters enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Systems Engineer Master with a No Diploma is between $128,486 and $135,913).

Systems Engineer Master Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Systems Engineer Master
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%
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Systems Engineer Master Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Systems Engineer Master'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Systems Engineer Master

Salaries for a Systems Engineer Master can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $138,377 in 2023 to around $138,121 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Systems Engineer Master salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Systems Engineer Master Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$138,377
2024
$139,235
2025
$138,121
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $138,377
2024 $139,235
2025 $138,121
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Systems Engineer Master

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Systems Engineer Master

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

Find Your Next Systems Engineer Master Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Systems Engineer Master 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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