34 Honest Systems Engineer Salaries

System engineers are responsible for keeping critical systems running smoothly, and that is no small task. From managing servers and virtual machines to automating deployments and handling the occasional 3 a.m. alert, they’re the backbone of IT infrastructure in just about every industry.

Systems engineers bring serious value to the table—and in a world increasingly reliant on hybrid cloud environments, tight uptime SLAs, and real-time monitoring, their earning potential is only growing. So, how much can systems engineers actually expect to make? 

This article covers the role's responsibilities, how salary ranges vary by location and experience level, and what skills, tools, and certifications can help boost your pay. Whether you’re just entering the field or eyeing a promotion, this guide will help you benchmark your worth and plan your next move.

What is a Systems Engineer?

A systems engineer designs, implements, and maintains the systems that keep applications running, data flowing, and users connected—whether that’s on-premises, in the cloud, or somewhere in between.

At its core, the role is all about integration and optimization. Systems engineers evaluate technology needs, build solutions that meet those needs, and ensure those systems continue to run smoothly over time. They’re involved in everything from server configuration and network setup to disaster recovery planning and security hardening.

Some of the most common responsibilities include:

• Deploying and maintaining servers and operating systems

• Managing virtualized and cloud-based environments

• Writing scripts to automate routine tasks

• Monitoring system performance and responding to incidents

• Collaborating with other IT teams on infrastructure upgrades or migrations

Systems engineers rely on a mix of technical skills to do all of this effectively. They’re usually fluent in Linux and Windows environments, comfortable with scripting in Bash or PowerShell, and familiar with automation tools like Ansible or Terraform. Many also work with container platforms like Docker or Kubernetes, especially in DevOps-heavy roles.

You might see this position listed under different titles, including:

• Systems Engineer

• Infrastructure Engineer

• IT Systems Administrator (in more hands-on roles)

• Cloud Systems Engineer

• DevOps Engineer (when responsibilities overlap)

No matter the title, the goal is to ensure that complex systems run as seamlessly as possible while remaining secure, scalable, and resilient.

34 Honest Salaries for Systems Engineers

So, how much does a systems engineer actually make? According to ZipRecruiter, the average systems engineer in the U.S. makes around $127,000 a year. But like most tech roles, the true number can vary based on where you work, what tools you use, and how long you've been on the job.  

To get a realistic picture of systems engineer salaries in today’s market, we pulled data from job boards like ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and Indeed. Then we cross-referenced those ranges with active job postings and salary trends across 34 U.S. cities—including tech hubs, mid-sized markets, and up-and-coming regions.

Each city includes three benchmarks:

• Low-End Salary: Reflects junior or entry-level roles

• Average Salary: Represents mid-level systems engineers with a few years of experience

• High-End Salary: Indicates senior engineers, architects, or specialists with advanced certifications or niche expertise

Whether you’re just breaking into IT or trying to benchmark your next raise, this chart can help you see how your current (or future) salary stacks up.

As expected, the highest systems engineer salaries are concentrated in major tech hubs like San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, and New York, where top-tier salaries reach well over $140,000. But with that also comes a higher cost of living, which can eat into those higher salaries. 

Cities like Austin, Denver, and Raleigh offer a more balanced equation: strong salaries combined with a more manageable cost of living. These locations are growing fast and attracting enterprise infrastructure projects, which helps push average compensation higher.

Further down the chart, midwestern and southeastern cities like Des Moines, Nashville, and Indianapolis still offer competitive pay, especially for remote workers living in those regions. Even in the lower range, six-figure earnings are within reach for experienced engineers.

Here are a few other patterns to note:

• Salary ranges widen in large metros, reflecting both entry-level roles and senior-level specialists in the same job market. 

• Cloud-heavy and security-sensitive industries (finance, healthcare, defense) tend to cluster in high-paying regions.

• There’s a clear national demand for systems engineers, with even the lowest average salaries hovering around $70,000 to $75,000. 

In short, where you live still matters, but what you know and how well you can apply it matter even more.

Salary Considerations for Systems Engineers

Not all systems engineering roles are created equal. The size of the organization, the complexity of the infrastructure, and even your on-call status can all influence your paycheck. Below are some of the biggest factors that can impact your salary as a systems engineer. 

Industry

Some industries simply pay more, especially those that rely on uptime, security, or regulatory compliance. Finance, healthcare, defense, and SaaS companies tend to offer higher compensation than public-sector roles or education-focused organizations.

Project Scope

If you're working on large-scale or mission-critical systems, you’re more likely to land at the higher end of the salary range. Engineers involved in global infrastructure, data center consolidation, or cloud transformation efforts often command higher pay.

Automation Knowledge

Engineers who understand infrastructure-as-code tools like Ansible, Terraform, and Puppet can reduce manual work and increase system reliability. That kind of impact translates directly to higher earning potential, especially in environments focused on DevOps or cloud-native infrastructure.

On-Call Or Shift Work

If your role includes 24/7 coverage, incident response, or rotating shift work, expect to see that reflected in your salary or through additional compensation like bonuses or comp time. These responsibilities require fast thinking under pressure, and employers often pay for that flexibility.

How Experience Impacts Salary

Experience is one of the biggest drivers of salary in systems engineering. But it’s not just about how long you’ve been in the field: it’s about the types of systems you’ve worked on, the tools you’ve mastered, and the level of responsibility you’ve taken on. Here’s how pay typically scales by experience level.

Entry-Level (0–2 Years)

Most entry-level systems engineers earn between $65,000 and $85,000, depending on location and organization size. These roles focus on day-to-day maintenance, basic troubleshooting, and supporting existing infrastructure. You’ll likely work under a more senior engineer while gaining hands-on experience. 

Mid-Level (3–5 Years)

At this stage, salaries typically range from $85,000 to $110,000. You’ll be expected to handle systems design, manage migrations, implement automation tools, and take ownership of larger jobs. Experience with scripting, virtualization, and cloud platforms becomes more important. You'll also start working more independently. 

Senior-Level (6+ Years)

Senior engineers usually earn between $110,000 and $145,000+. These professionals manage infrastructure at scale, design hybrid environments, and serve as technical leads. Many also mentor junior engineers or collaborate with leadership on long-term strategy. Specialized skills in cloud architecture, automation frameworks, and cybersecurity often push compensation even higher.

Must-Know Tools for Systems Engineers

Systems engineers rely on a wide range of tools to manage, automate, and monitor infrastructure. While specific stacks vary by company, these tool categories are common across most environments.

Operating Systems

Proficiency in Windows Server and Linux (especially Red Hat, Ubuntu, and CentOS) is essential. Most environments rely on a mix of both, and engineers are expected to configure, maintain, and troubleshoot across platforms.

Automation and Scripting

Scripting is critical for efficiency and scalability. Familiarity with PowerShell, Bash, and Python can help automate everything from patching to provisioning. Engineers who know infrastructure-as-code tools like Ansible and Terraform are in especially high demand.

Virtualization and Containers

Many systems engineers work with VMware, Hyper-V, and increasingly Docker and Kubernetes in hybrid environments. These tools are essential for managing VMs, scaling containerized workloads, and supporting modern app delivery models.

Cloud Platforms

Most organizations are at least partially cloud-based. Systems engineers should be comfortable working with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform, especially when managing VMs, storage, networking, and automation in cloud environments.

Monitoring And Management

Keeping systems healthy requires the right monitoring stack. Common tools include Zabbix, Nagios, Prometheus, SolarWinds, and SCCM. These platforms help track performance, detect failures, and streamline system updates and compliance.

Must-Have Certifications for Systems Engineers

Certifications aren’t always required, but they can make a big difference, especially when you're looking to boost your salary, prove your skills, or transition into more senior roles. Here are some of the most valuable certs for systems engineers. 

CompTIA Server+

A solid entry-level cert that covers core server hardware, virtualization, storage, and troubleshooting. It’s a great foundation if you’re just getting started in systems engineering.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

Ideal for engineers working in hybrid or Microsoft-heavy environments. This cert validates your ability to manage Azure resources, configure networking, and handle identity and access.

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator

This is one of the most respected cloud certifications for systems professionals. It proves your ability to deploy, manage, and operate workloads in AWS environments.

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

This is a must-have for engineers working in enterprise Linux environments. It shows that you know how to configure, manage, and troubleshoot Red Hat systems—skills that transfer well to other Linux distros, too.

VMware Certified Professional—Network Virtualization 

If you work in a virtualized infrastructure, this certification demonstrates your ability to install, configure, and manage VMware vSphere environments, which is still a key platform for many large organizations.

CompTIA Linux+ Or LPIC-1

These Linux certifications are a strong starting point for open-source system management. They show employers you’re comfortable navigating the command line, writing shell scripts, and managing basic services. Which one is best? This guide can help you decide. 

How to Increase Your Salary as a Systems Engineer

Now that you understand what a systems engineer tends to make based on location, skills, technical knowledge, and experience, you might be looking for ways to bump your pay up. No worries, there are plenty of ways to level up beyond just years on the job. 

Here are a few tips to increase your salary: 

• Specialize in Cloud-Native Architecture and Automation Practices: Focus on tools like Terraform, Ansible, and Kubernetes to support modern infrastructure needs.

• Get Professional-Level Certifications in AWS, Azure, or Red Hat: Advanced certifications prove you're ready to take on complex systems and leadership roles.

• Develop Cross-Functional Experience With Networking, DevOps, or Security: The more overlap you have with other key IT domains, the more valuable you become.

• Move Into Infrastructure Architecture or Senior Consulting Roles: These roles often come with broader impact, more visibility, and higher compensation.

• Stay Updated With Emerging Tools: Continuous learning is key. Keep pace with the evolving toolset used in automation, observability, and infrastructure as code.

• Seek Leadership Opportunities or Become a Mentor: Showing that you can lead or coach others helps you step into senior roles more quickly and gets noticed by management.

Conclusion

And as more companies shift to hybrid and cloud-native environments, demand (and pay) for skilled systems engineers continues to grow.

Whether you're early in your career or eyeing a senior role, your salary isn’t just shaped by your title. It’s influenced by your tools, certifications, experience, and how you apply those skills in real-world environments.

If you're ready to level up, CBT Nuggets can help. From cloud cert prep to hands-on training in automation, monitoring, and scripting, you'll find the resources you need to build skills and boost your earning power.