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Salary

How much does a Systems Engineer make?

The average salary for a Systems Engineer is $131,924 per year in the US.

A Systems Engineer plays a crucial role in managing and improving systems within an organization. This role often involves a mix of technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Job seekers looking to enter this field may be pleased to know about the salary prospects. The average yearly salary for a Systems Engineer stands at approximately $131,924. This figure represents the midpoint of the salary range, highlighting the potential earnings for someone in this role.

The salary range for Systems Engineers varies widely, reflecting the diverse responsibilities and experience levels within the profession. At the lower end, the 10th percentile earns about $57,137 per year. This is a good starting point for those just entering the field. As experience grows and skills deepen, so does the salary. The highest earners, in the 90th percentile, bring in around $233,580 annually. This range offers significant growth potential for those willing to invest in their career development.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Systems Engineer?

Systems engineers can find excellent job opportunities in several cities across the U.S. San Francisco tops the list with an average salary of $182,879. Other high-paying cities include Fayetteville and Hartford, where salaries average around $156,432 and $155,172, respectively. These locations offer attractive compensation packages for those in the systems engineering field. Candidates can also explore promising job markets in cities like San Diego and San Jose, where salaries average $151,461 and $150,381. These cities provide a mix of competitive salaries and a vibrant job market. Dallas, Toledo, Los Angeles, Miami, and Nashville also offer solid opportunities with average salaries above $144,000.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Systems Engineer jobs, highlighting San Francisco, CA with the highest at $182,879 and Nashville, TN with the lowest at $144,731.
  1. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $182,879
    In San Francisco, tech companies thrive, offering dynamic roles for those in technology. Engineers here work with cutting-edge tools and innovative projects. Google, Salesforce, and LinkedIn are top employers.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Fayetteland, AR
    Average Salary: $156,432
    Fayetteland is a growing hub for tech jobs. The city offers a mix of challenges and opportunities in a smaller market. Companies here value creativity and problem-solving skills.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in Fayetteland, AR


  3. Hartford, CT
    Average Salary: $155,172
    Hartford is home to many insurance giants and tech startups. Engineers find a blend of traditional and modern projects. Travelers and United Technologies are notable employers.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in Hartford, CT


  4. San Diego, CA
    Average Salary: $151,461
    San Diego boasts a thriving tech scene with a focus on cybersecurity and software development. Engineers can enjoy beautiful weather and a relaxed work environment. Qualcomm and Qualcomm are major players.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in San Diego, CA


  5. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $150,381
    San Jose is the heart of Silicon Valley, full of tech opportunities. Engineers here work on groundbreaking projects for companies like Apple and Tesla. The competitive atmosphere drives innovation.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  6. Dallas, TX
    Average Salary: $149,439
    Dallas offers a mix of big-city energy and business-friendly environment. Engineers find roles in tech firms and major corporations. AT&T and Electronic Arts are prominent employers.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in Dallas, TX


  7. Toledo, OH
    Average Salary: $149,241
    Toledo provides a stable tech industry with a focus on manufacturing and industrial applications. Engineers can expect a friendly work environment with a strong community feel.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in Toledo, OH


  8. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $147,398
    Los Angeles is a diverse tech hub with opportunities in entertainment tech and startups. The city offers a vibrant lifestyle for tech professionals. Amazon and Warner Bros. are major employers.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in Los Angeles, CA


  9. Miami, FL
    Average Salary: $146,285
    Miami offers a blend of tech and finance sectors. Engineers can expect a dynamic work environment with opportunities in startups and established companies. American Airlines and Carnival Corp. are notable employers.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in Miami, FL


  10. Nashville, TN
    Average Salary: $144,731
    Nashville is growing as a tech center, especially in music tech and startups. Engineers enjoy a friendly community with a strong sense of collaboration. Companies like Fidelity and Bridgestone are key players.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in Nashville, TN

What are the best companies a Systems Engineer can work for?

Systems Engineers can find lucrative opportunities with several top companies. Leading this list is OpenAI, where they offer an average salary of $316,464. Other companies with high salaries include Palo Alto Networks and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which offer around $227,000 and $222,000 respectively. These companies value their Systems Engineers and provide competitive compensation packages.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Systems Engineer jobs, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $316,464 and Captivation Software with the lowest at $200,000.
  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $316,464
    OpenAI offers exciting Systems Engineer roles that focus on developing advanced AI technology. The company operates globally, with key locations in San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan.


  2. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $227,047
    At Palo Alto Networks, Systems Engineers work on securing networks and protecting data. The company has offices worldwide, including headquarters in Santa Clara, CA and London, UK.


  3. Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
    Average Salary: $222,134
    HPE provides opportunities for Systems Engineers to manage complex IT infrastructures. HPE operates in major cities across the globe, including Houston, TX and Singapore.


  4. ServiceNow
    Average Salary: $220,118
    ServiceNow looks for Systems Engineers to help automate workflows. The company is based in Santa Clara, CA, with additional offices in Dublin, Ireland and Hyderabad, India.


  5. BCT LLC
    Average Salary: $219,225
    BCT LLC provides Systems Engineer jobs focusing on defense and security solutions. They operate mainly in the United States, with major offices in Fairfax, VA and San Diego, CA.


  6. Apple
    Average Salary: $213,556
    Apple offers Systems Engineer roles to innovate in tech. The company is headquartered in Cupertino, CA, with offices in many global cities.


  7. Nutanix
    Average Salary: $213,255
    Nutanix seeks Systems Engineers to manage cloud infrastructure. The company operates worldwide, with key locations in San Jose, CA and Bangalore, India.


  8. NVIDIA
    Average Salary: $210,341
    NVIDIA offers roles for Systems Engineers in computer graphics and AI. The company has offices in Santa Clara, CA, and other global cities like Shanghai, China.


  9. Waymo
    Average Salary: $201,285
    Waymo provides Systems Engineer jobs focused on autonomous vehicle technology. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, CA, with offices in other key locations.


  10. Captivation Software
    Average Salary: $200,000
    Captivation Software offers Systems Engineer roles to develop software solutions. The company is based in Houston, TX, with a presence in other tech hubs.

How to earn more as a Systems Engineer?

Systems Engineers play a crucial role in maintaining and improving the technology infrastructure that businesses depend on. If someone wants to earn more in this field, they can take several steps. Building up skills and experience is key. Specialized training and certifications can open doors to higher-paying jobs.

Networking with other professionals helps uncover opportunities. Attending industry conferences and joining professional groups can lead to job offers with better pay. Seeking promotions within a company also makes a difference. Taking on more responsibility can lead to higher earnings. Lastly, considering a move to a higher-cost-of-living area can lead to higher salaries. Each of these steps helps someone earn more as a Systems Engineer.

Here are five important factors to consider:

  1. Get specialized training and certifications.
  2. Network with other professionals in the industry.
  3. Seek promotions within your current company.
  4. Take on more responsibilities at work.
  5. Consider moving to a higher-cost-of-living area.

Currently 1,607 Systems Engineer job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Systems Engineer in the US?

Learn what a Systems Engineer does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Systems Engineer today.
Position
Overview
Systems Engineer
1,607 Job Openings