Computer Systems Software Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Computer Systems Software Engineer in the United States is $124,963 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $144,289
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,283 to $135,079
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104,559
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View as table View as graph 25% $114,283 10% $104,559 90% $144,289 75% $135,079 $124,963 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Computer Systems Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $135,079 $11,257 $2,598 $65
Average $124,963 $10,414 $2,403 $60
25th Percentile $114,283 $9,524 $2,198 $55
Check out Computer Systems Software Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Software Systems Engineer

ASD, Inc. - BOULDER, CO

Advanced Software Engineer

GeoLogics Corporation - CANONSBURG, PA

Senior Software Engineer

Moseley Technical Services, Inc. - SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Advanced Embedded Software Engineer

GeoLogics Corporation - CANONSBURG, PA

Search More Computer Systems Software Engineer Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Computer Systems Software Engineer Salaries

A Computer Systems 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 Computer Systems Software Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Computer Systems 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): $121,254
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $121,996
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $123,479
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $128,937
  • Expert (over 8 years): $131,846
Levels Salary
Entry Level Computer Systems Software Engineer$121,254
Intermediate Level Computer Systems Software Engineer$121,996
Senior Level Computer Systems Software Engineer$123,479
Specialist Level Computer Systems Software Engineer$128,937
Expert Level Computer Systems Software Engineer$131,846
$121,254 0 yr
$121,996 < 2 yrs
$123,479 2-4 yrs
$128,937 5-8 yrs
$131,846 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $138,359.
  • California: $137,834.
  • Massachusetts: $135,997.

Top Paying Cities for Computer Systems 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: $157,616
  • San Francisco: $156,066
  • Oakland: $152,605

What Skills Can Increase a Computer Systems Software Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.68% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Software Development (Mentioned in 4.7% Job Postings): Software development is the process of conceiving, specifying, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and bug fixing involved in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components. Software development is a process of writing and maintaining the source code, but in a broader sense, it includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to the final manifestation of the software, sometimes in a planned and structured process. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products. Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common being to meet specific needs of a specific client/business (the case with custom software), to meet a perceived need of some set of potential users (the case with commercial and open source software), or for personal use (e.g. a scientist may write software to automate a mundane task). Embedded software development, that is, the development of embedded software, such as used for controlling consumer products, requires the development process to be integrated with the development of the controlled physical product. System software underlies applications and the programming process itself, and is often developed separately.
  • Software Engineering (Mentioned in 2.8% Job Postings): Software engineering is the application of engineering to the development of software in a systematic method. Notable definitions of software engineering include: "the systematic application of scientific and technological knowledge, methods, and experience to the design, implementation, testing, and documentation of software"—The Bureau of Labor Statistics—IEEE Systems and software engineering - Vocabulary "The application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software"—IEEE Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology "an engineering discipline that is concerned with all aspects of software production"—Ian Sommerville "the establishment and use of sound engineering principles in order to economically obtain software that is reliable and works efficiently on real machines"—Fritz Bauer
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.68%
Software Development 4.7%
Software Engineering 2.8%
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 Computer Systems Software Engineer's salary.
  • Open Source: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Container: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Open Source
$129,962
4%
Container
$128,712
3%
Innovation
$128,712
3%
Kubernetes
$128,712
3%
Python
$127,462
2%
AWS
$127,462
2%
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How Education impacts a Computer Systems Software Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Computer Systems Software Engineers 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 a Computer Systems Software Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $122,135 and $128,293).

Computer Systems Software Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Computer Systems Software Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 2.0%
Associates 1.4%
Bachelors 46.1%
Masters 44.2%
Doctorate 6.0%
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Computer Systems Software Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Computer Systems 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Computer Systems Software Engineer

Salaries for a Computer Systems Software Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $124,010 in 2023 to around $122,791 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Computer Systems Software Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Computer Systems Software Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$124,010
2024
$124,256
2025
$122,791
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $124,010
2024 $124,256
2025 $122,791
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Computer Systems Software Engineer

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