As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a System Performance Engineer in the United States is $82,872 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, a System Performance Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A System Performance 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 a System Performance 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 System Performance Engineer | $81,681 |
| Intermediate Level System Performance Engineer | $82,474 |
| Senior Level System Performance Engineer | $84,464 |
| Specialist Level System Performance Engineer | $84,861 |
| Expert Level System Performance Engineer | $85,127 |
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 Performance Engineers. 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
|
$91,159 |
10%
|
|
Python
|
$91,159 |
10%
|
|
AWS
|
$91,159 |
10%
|
|
Risk Management
|
$91,159 |
10%
|
|
Team Development
|
$90,330 |
9%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$90,330 |
9%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many System Performance 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 a System Performance Engineer with a No Diploma is between $68,885 and $75,174).
System Performance Engineer 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 System Performance 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, 2026Salaries for a System Performance Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $82,993 in 2023 to around $82,774 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of System Performance Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $82,993 |
| 2024 | $83,263 |
| 2025 | $82,774 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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