As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Engineer Intern in the United States is $80,145 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Systems Engineer Intern's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Systems Engineer Intern'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 Systems Engineer Intern'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 Systems Engineer Intern | $80,145 |
| Intermediate Level Systems Engineer Intern | $80,922 |
| Senior Level Systems Engineer Intern | $82,875 |
| Specialist Level Systems Engineer Intern | $83,265 |
| Expert Level Systems Engineer Intern | $83,525 |
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 Systems Engineer Interns. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 7.02% |
| Azure | 2.71% |
| Cisco | 1.62% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
IT Infrastructure
|
$88,159 |
10%
|
|
Python
|
$88,159 |
10%
|
|
AWS
|
$88,159 |
10%
|
|
Risk Management
|
$88,159 |
10%
|
|
Team Development
|
$87,358 |
9%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$87,358 |
9%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Systems Engineer Interns 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 Systems Engineer Intern with a No Diploma is between $68,885 and $75,174).
Systems Engineer Intern Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.3% |
| High School | 14.3% |
| Associates | 10.4% |
| Bachelors | 61.0% |
| Masters | 13.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Systems Engineer Intern'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 Systems Engineer Intern can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,432 in 2023 to around $81,217 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Systems Engineer Intern salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $81,432 |
| 2024 | $81,696 |
| 2025 | $81,217 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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