Cognitive Software Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Cognitive Software Engineer make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cognitive Software Engineer in the United States is $111,941 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $126,078
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $102,823 to $119,341
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $94,522
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View as table View as graph 25% $102,823 10% $94,522 90% $126,078 75% $119,341 $111,941 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Cognitive Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $119,341 $9,945 $2,295 $57
Average $111,941 $9,328 $2,153 $54
25th Percentile $102,823 $8,569 $1,977 $49
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Key Factors That Influence Cognitive Software Engineer Salaries

A Cognitive Software 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cognitive Software Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cognitive Software 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $137,437
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,287
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $112,574
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $123,358
  • Expert (over 8 years): $174,171
Levels Salary
Internal ... Level Cognitive Software Engineer$137,437
Auditing ... Level Cognitive Software Engineer$93,287
Cognitive... Level Cognitive Software Engineer$112,574
Auditing ... Level Cognitive Software Engineer$123,358
Auditing ... Level Cognitive Software Engineer$174,171
$137,437 0 yr
$93,287 < 2 yrs
$112,574 2-4 yrs
$123,358 5-8 yrs
$174,171 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Cognitive Software Engineer 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 Cognitive Software Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $123,941.
  • California: $123,471.
  • Massachusetts: $121,825.

Top Paying Cities for Cognitive Software Engineers

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: $141,191
  • San Francisco: $139,803
  • Oakland: $136,702

What Skills Can Increase a Cognitive Software Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 6.76% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 2.65% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
  • Operating System (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): Maintaining software that runs on a computer that serves as an interface between computer hardware components and the user.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.76%
Housekeeping 2.65%
Operating System 1.61%
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 Cognitive Software Engineer's salary.
  • Facilities Management: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Guest Relations: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Facilities Management
$134,329
20%
Guest Relations
$129,852
16%
Coordination
$125,374
12%
Teamwork
$125,374
12%
Front Office
$123,135
10%
Commitment
$122,016
9%
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How Education impacts a Cognitive Software Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cognitive Software Engineers enter the field with a Associate'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 a Cognitive Software Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $115,043 and $120,933).

Cognitive Software Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cognitive Software Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 2.8%
Associates 0.9%
Bachelors 48.1%
Masters 46.2%
Doctorate 0.9%
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Cognitive Software Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cognitive Software 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.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Cognitive Software Engineer

Salaries for a Cognitive Software Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $101,469 in 2023 to around $101,026 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cognitive Software Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Cognitive Software Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$101,469
2024
$101,494
2025
$101,026
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $101,469
2024 $101,494
2025 $101,026
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Cognitive Software Engineer

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

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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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