Electronic Warfare SME Salary in the United States

How much does an Electronic Warfare SME make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electronic Warfare SME in the United States is $170,920 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $82.

However, an Electronic Warfare SME's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $187,891
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $159,599 to $179,803
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $149,292

Key Factors That Influence Electronic Warfare SME Salaries

An Electronic Warfare SME'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 Electronic Warfare SME Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Electronic Warfare SME'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): $121,495
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $144,662
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $170,266
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $222,903
  • Expert (over 8 years): $139,284
Levels Salary
Electroni... Level Electronic Warfare SME$121,495
Electroni... Level Electronic Warfare SME$144,662
Electroni... Level Electronic Warfare SME$170,266
Electroni... Level Electronic Warfare SME$222,903
Electroni... Level Electronic Warfare SME$139,284

How Do Electronic Warfare SME 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 Electronic Warfare SMEs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $189,243.
  • California: $188,525.
  • Massachusetts: $186,012.

Top Paying Cities for Electronic Warfare SMEs

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: $215,581
  • San Francisco: $213,221
  • Oakland: $208,728

What Skills Can Increase an Electronic Warfare SME's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 11.17% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
  • Computer Engineering (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Computer engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that integrates several fields of computer science and electronic engineering required to develop computer hardware and software.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 11.17%
Programming 2.93%
Computer Engineering 1.86%

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 an Electronic Warfare SME's salary.

  • Solution Design: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • CAD: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Solution Design $199,976
17%
CAD $198,267
16%
Troubleshooting $191,430
12%

Electronic Warfare SME Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Electronic Warfare SME 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, Electronic Warfare SME positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electronic Warfare SME as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Electronic Warfare SME

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$205,104$99.020%

How Education impacts an Electronic Warfare SME's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Electronic Warfare SMEs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Electronic Warfare SME with a Bachelor's Degree is between $176,062 and $186,159).

Electronic Warfare SME Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Electronic Warfare SME
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 39.8%
Associates 0.9%
Bachelors 39.8%
Masters 39.8%
Doctorate 19.4%

Electronic Warfare SME Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Electronic Warfare SME'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
$159,599
Average $170,920/year
$179,803
$13,300
Average $14,243/month
$14,984
$3,069
Average $3,287/week
$3,458
$77
Average $82/hour
$86
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $179,803 $14,984 $3,458 $86
Average $170,920 $14,243 $3,287 $82
25th Percentile $159,599 $13,300 $3,069 $77

Most common benefits for Electronic Warfare SME

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

Common company salaries for Electronic Warfare SME

Here are companies hiring for Electronic Warfare SME and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Electronic Warfare SME

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Electronic Warfare SME?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Electronic Warfare SME 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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