As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Systems Engineer in the United States is $65,344 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, an Entry Level Systems Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Entry Level 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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Entry Level Systems Engineer | $62,615 |
| Intermediate Level Entry Level Systems Engineer | $63,418 |
| Senior Level Entry Level Systems Engineer | $66,947 |
| Specialist Level Entry Level Systems Engineer | $70,148 |
| Expert Level Entry Level Systems Engineer | $70,948 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Entry Level Systems Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | 4.32% |
| CAD | 2.66% |
| CNC | 1.33% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Team Development
|
$81,680 |
25%
|
|
Computer Aided Design
|
$75,799 |
16%
|
|
Troubleshooting
|
$71,878 |
10%
|
|
Negotiating
|
$71,878 |
10%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$71,878 |
10%
|
|
Conceptualization
|
$71,878 |
10%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Systems Engineers 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 an Entry Level Systems Engineer with a No Diploma is between $73,139 and $77,420).
Entry Level Systems Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 3.1% |
| Associates | 2.5% |
| Bachelors | 48.4% |
| Masters | 40.9% |
| Doctorate | 4.4% |
Understanding how an Entry Level 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 May 01, 2026Salaries for an Entry Level Systems Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $51,892 in 2023 to around $51,471 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Systems Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $51,892 |
| 2024 | $51,731 |
| 2025 | $51,471 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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