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Systems Developer Salary in the United States

How much does a Systems Developer make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Developer in the United States is $117,972 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $129,844
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,682 to $124,186
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $94,493
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Systems Developer Salaries

A Systems Developer'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 Systems Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Systems Developer'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): $73,760
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $103,101
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,825
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $139,930
  • Expert (over 8 years): $151,962
Levels Salary
Web Softw... Level Systems Developer$73,760
Web Softw... Level Systems Developer$103,101
Systems D... Level Systems Developer$118,825
Web Softw... Level Systems Developer$139,930
Web Softw... Level Systems Developer$151,962
View as Graph

How Do Systems Developer 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 Systems Developers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $130,619.
  • California: $130,123.
  • Massachusetts: $128,389.

Top Paying Cities for Systems Developers

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: $148,798
  • San Francisco: $147,169
  • Oakland: $144,067

What Skills Can Increase a Systems Developer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.63% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • HTML (Mentioned in 4.85% Job Postings): A computer language that used in creating, updating and maintaining text, graphics and links in a website.
  • SQL (Mentioned in 3.23% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.63%
HTML 4.85%
SQL 3.23%
See More Skills

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 Systems Developer's salary.

  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management $127,410
8%
Partnering $125,050
6%
Insight $122,691
4%
Get Latest Data

Systems Developer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Systems Developer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Systems Developer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Systems Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Systems Developer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$129,769$62.010%
Biotechnology$129,769$62.010%
Energy & Utilities$129,769$62.010%
Financial Services$129,769$62.010%
Healthcare$129,769$62.010%

How Education impacts a Systems Developer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Systems Developers 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 Systems Developer with a Associate's Degree is between $109,547 and $116,280).

Systems Developer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Systems Developer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 9.7%
Associates 7.6%
Bachelors 56.2%
Masters 24.9%
Doctorate 0.2%
View as Graph

Systems Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Systems Developer'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 October 01, 2026
$105,682
Average $117,972/year
$124,186
$8,807
Average $9,831/month
$10,349
$2,032
Average $2,269/week
$2,388
$51
Average $57/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $124,186 $10,349 $2,388 $60
Average $117,972 $9,831 $2,269 $57
25th Percentile $105,682 $8,807 $2,032 $51

Most common benefits for Systems Developer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Systems Developer

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

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FAQ about Systems Developer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Systems Developer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Systems Developer roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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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