As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a System Manager in the United States is $148,901 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.
However, a System Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A System Manager'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 a System Manager'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 System Manager | $145,856 |
| Intermediate Level System Manager | $146,312 |
| Senior Level System Manager | $147,378 |
| Specialist Level System Manager | $148,596 |
| Expert Level System Manager | $151,097 |
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 System Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 9.41% |
| Linux | 1.76% |
| Azure | 1.29% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
System Integration
|
$175,703 |
18%
|
|
AWS
|
$175,703 |
18%
|
|
Systems Engineering
|
$175,703 |
18%
|
|
Program Management
|
$174,214 |
17%
|
|
Security Clearance
|
$174,214 |
17%
|
|
Project Engineering
|
$172,725 |
16%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many System Managers 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 a System Manager with a No Diploma is between $147,361 and $156,594).
System Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 10.0% |
| High School | 10.0% |
| Associates | 20.0% |
| Bachelors | 70.0% |
| Masters | 20.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a System Manager'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, 2026Salaries for a System Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $140,230 in 2023 to around $139,814 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of System Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $140,230 |
| 2024 | $141,035 |
| 2025 | $139,814 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for System Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.
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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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