Communications Systems Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Communications Systems Engineer in the United States is $84,846 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,485
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,814 to $91,462
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,323
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View as table View as graph 25% $78,814 10% $73,323 90% $97,485 75% $91,462 $84,846 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Communications Systems Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $91,462 $7,622 $1,759 $44
Average $84,846 $7,070 $1,632 $41
25th Percentile $78,814 $6,568 $1,516 $38
Check out Communications Systems Engineer Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Communications Systems Engineer Salaries

A Communications Systems 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 Communications Systems Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Communications Systems 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): $82,751
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $83,170
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $84,008
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $85,264
  • Expert (over 8 years): $87,936
Levels Salary
Entry Level Communications Systems Engineer$82,751
Intermediate Level Communications Systems Engineer$83,170
Senior Level Communications Systems Engineer$84,008
Specialist Level Communications Systems Engineer$85,264
Expert Level Communications Systems Engineer$87,936
$82,751 0 yr
$83,170 < 2 yrs
$84,008 2-4 yrs
$85,264 5-8 yrs
$87,936 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Communications Systems 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: $107,016
  • San Francisco: $105,964
  • Oakland: $103,613

What Skills Can Increase a Communications Systems Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.02% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Hyperion (Mentioned in 4.02% Job Postings): Hyperion allows the businesses to integrate and manage the goals, strategies, and their execution. It is used in financial analysis and reporting, integrates financial and operational planning processes and improves business predictability.
  • Customer Success (Mentioned in 1.72% Job Postings): Customer success is a method for ensuring customers reach their desired outcomes when using an organization's product or service.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.02%
Hyperion 4.02%
Customer Success 1.72%
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 Communications Systems Engineer's salary.
  • Data Integration: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • UAT: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Hyperion: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Integration
$104,360
23%
UAT
$102,663
21%
Hyperion
$102,663
21%
Effective Communication
$99,269
17%
SAP BPC
$99,269
17%
Illustration
$93,330
10%
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How Education impacts a Communications Systems Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Communications Systems Engineers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Communications Systems Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $80,524 and $86,292).

Communications Systems Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Communications Systems Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 31.6%
High School 31.6%
Associates 5.3%
Bachelors 52.6%
Masters 10.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Communications Systems Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Communications Systems 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Communications Systems Engineer

Salaries for a Communications Systems Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $58,919 in 2023 to around $58,929 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Communications Systems Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Communications Systems Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$58,919
2024
$59,431
2025
$58,929
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $58,919
2024 $59,431
2025 $58,929
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for Communications Systems Engineer

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

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

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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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