Without systems engineers, many systems or processes might fail. A systems engineer is responsible for the technical and business applications of a company’s systems. They monitor software or systems for anything out of the ordinary or that might require action, work as project managers between different types of or entire departments, and find ways to make processes more efficient. engineers The average total compensation of a systems engineer in the United States is $100,175 to $332,043, according to data from the Blind. professional social network These are the 43 best-paying cities for systems engineers or developers in the United States ranked by average total compensation, according to the more than 5 million verified professionals on Blind. Total compensation includes annual salary and any stock-based compensation or cash bonus offered by a company. 1. Menlo Park, Calif. Average total compensation: $332,043 Median total compensation: $258,330 Average salary: $169,333 Median base salary: $168,500 2. Palo Alto, Calif. Average total compensation: $250,988 Median total compensation: $187,800 Average salary: $152,257 Median base salary: $150,000 3. Cupertino, Calif. Average total compensation: $236,050 Median total compensation: $202,875 Average salary: $158,388 Median base salary: $150,000 4. San Francisco Average total compensation: $234,882 Median total compensation: $205,000 Average salary: $157,347 Median base salary: $160,000 5. Sunnyvale, Calif. Average total compensation: $221,777 Median total compensation: $210,000 Average salary: $152,122 Median base salary: $160,000 6. Mountain View, Calif. Average total compensation: $220,053 Median total compensation: $219,380 Average salary: $159,180 Median base salary: $160,000 7. Redmond, Wash. Average total compensation: $218,250 Median total compensation: $205,000 Average salary: $134,750 Median base salary: $145,000 8. San Diego Average total compensation: $215,434 Median total compensation: $180,000 Average salary: $147,256 Median base salary: $140,000 9. Santa Clara, Calif. Average total compensation: $212,835 Median total compensation: $223,000 Average salary: $158,707 Median base salary: $158,500 10. Pittsburgh Average total compensation: $190,983 Median total compensation: $160,000 Average salary: $139,555 Median base salary: $130,000 11. San Jose, Calif. Average total compensation: $190,229 Median total compensation: $172,000 Average salary: $143,574 Median base salary: $143,000 12. Austin, Texas Average total compensation: $188,795 Median total compensation: $154,000 Average salary: $133,137 Median base salary: $130,000 13. Bellevue, Wash. Average total compensation: $182,250 Median total compensation: $171,500 Average salary: $138,250 Median base salary: $140,000 14. New York Average total compensation: $179,683 Median total compensation: $165,770 Average salary: $138,046 Median base salary: $135,000 15. Fremont, Calif. Average total compensation: $178,152 Median total compensation: $197,000 Average salary: $139,000 Median base salary: $152,500 16. Hillsboro, Ore. Average total compensation: $175,908 Median total compensation: $119,000 Average salary: $138,366 Median base salary: $119,000 17. Seattle Average total compensation: $174,708 Median total compensation: $155,375 Average salary: $132,811 Median base salary: $134,450 18. Atlanta Average total compensation: $173,246 Median total compensation: $163,000 Average salary: $136,948 Median base salary: $143,000 19. Chicago Average total compensation: $170,639 Median total compensation: $163,500 Average salary: $132,625 Median base salary: $131,000 20. Herndon, Va. Average total compensation: $167,044 Median total compensation: $146,100 Average salary: $129,034 Median base salary: $130,000 21. Houston Average total compensation: $160,166 Median total compensation: $140,500 Average salary: $129,166 Median base salary: $123,000 22. Irvine, Calif. Average total compensation: $158,500 Median total compensation: $160,000 Average salary: $123,100 Median base salary: $125,000 23. Los Angeles Average total compensation: $156,436 Median total compensation: $140,000 Average salary: $128,574 Median base salary: $122,200 24. Denver Average total compensation: $145,333 Median total compensation: $128,750 Average salary: $121,853 Median base salary: $120,000 25. Washington, D.C. Average total compensation: $142,413 Median total compensation: $105,000 Average salary: $116,409 Median base salary: $105,000 26. Nashville, Tenn. Average total compensation: $140,492 Median total compensation: $118,000 Average salary: $104,242 Median base salary: $95,485 27. Boston Average total compensation: $140,312 Median total compensation: $130,500 Average salary: $117,675 Median base salary: $119,500 28. Dallas Average total compensation: $136,659 Median total compensation: $150,000 Average salary: $118,585 Median base salary: $124,400 29. Baltimore Average total compensation: $132,500 Median total compensation: $140,000 Average salary: $131,250 Median base salary: $140,000 30. Detroit Average total compensation: $127,217 Median total compensation: $128,500 Average salary: $108,823 Median base salary: $100,000 31. Charlotte, N.C. Average total compensation: $126,766 Median total compensation: $110,000 Average salary: $122,566 Median base salary: $110,000 32. Phoenix Average total compensation: $125,270 Median total compensation: $128,000 Average salary: $112,423 Median base salary: $123,000 33. Warren, Mich. Average total compensation: $120,450 Median total compensation: $113,400 Average salary: $105,500 Median base salary: $103,500 34. Dearborn, Mich. Average total compensation: $120,375 Median total compensation: $117,000 Average salary: $109,875 Median base salary: $108,000 35. Kansas City, Mo. Average total compensation: $119,400 Median total compensation: $98,000 Average salary: $101,400 Median base salary: $98,000 36. Tampa, Fla. Average total compensation: $118,342 Median total compensation: $111,714 Average salary: $111,072 Median base salary: $105,364 37. Philadelphia Average total compensation: $116,833 Median total compensation: $112,500 Average salary: $115,166 Median base salary: $107,500 38. St. Louis Average total compensation: $115,400 Median total compensation: $109,250 Average salary: $107,625 Median base salary: $105,250 39. Portland, Ore. Average total compensation: $114,583 Median total compensation: $97,750 Average salary: $102,333 Median base salary: $97,000 40. Orlando, Fla. Average total compensation: $112,463 Median total compensation: $103,311 Average salary: $101,320 Median base salary: $103,311 41. Columbus, Ohio Average total compensation: $108,800 Median total compensation: $112,000 Average salary: $101,888 Median base salary: $107,000 42. Raleigh, N.C. Average total compensation: $101,000 Median total compensation: $100,000 Average salary: $92,111 Median base salary: $93,500 43. Fort Worth, Texas Average total compensation: $100,175 Median total compensation: $99,250 Average salary: $96,800 Median base salary: $92,500 Methodology Blind analyzed the cash salaries and total compensation of systems engineers in the United States on its platform. Cities were ranked by the average total compensation, including base salary and stock-based compensation or cash bonuses. All data is self-reported by verified professionals on the professional social network Blind. Also published on Teamblind's blog

Too Long; Didn't Read

Making security fun one episode at a time

The 43 Highest-Paying Cities for Systems Engineers in the US

Too Long; Didn't Read

Rick Chen

About Author

TOPICS

THIS ARTICLE WAS FEATURED IN...

The 43 Highest-Paying Cities for Systems Engineers in the US

Too Long; Didn't Read

Rick Chen

About Author

TOPICS

THIS ARTICLE WAS FEATURED IN...

RELATED STORIES