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Job outlook for applications support engineers in the United States
Applications support engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected applications support engineer job growth rate is 21% from 2018-2028.
About 284,100 new jobs for applications support engineers are projected over the next decade.
Applications support engineer salaries have increased 10% for applications support engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 16,089 applications support engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 222,780 active applications support engineer job openings in the US.
The average applications support engineer salary is $89,928.
Are applications support engineer jobs in demand?
Applications support engineer job and salary trends over time
Applications support engineer jobs over time
Applications support engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,089 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 23,586 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 8,162 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 14,183 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 13,668 | 0.00% |
Average applications support engineer salary over time
Applications support engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $89,928 | $43.23 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $86,965 | $41.81 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $84,996 | $40.86 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $83,495 | $40.14 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $82,093 | $39.47 | +1.9% |
Applications support engineer jobs by state
Most common states for applications support engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 781 | 113% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 3,336 | 45% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 571 | 43% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 417 | 43% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3,484 | 41% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,711 | 40% |
| 7 | California | 39,536,653 | 13,675 | 35% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 2,138 | 35% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,984 | 35% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 213 | 34% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,264 | 31% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 958 | 31% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 319 | 30% |
| 14 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 252 | 29% |
| 15 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 766 | 25% |
| 16 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,172 | 24% |
| 17 | Alaska | 739,795 | 181 | 24% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 138 | 24% |
| 19 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 2,290 | 23% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 388 | 23% |
Most common cities for applications support engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coppell | 6 | 15% | $84,499 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $95,822 |
| 3 | Hartford | 6 | 5% | $93,601 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 14 | 3% | $80,697 |
| 5 | Springfield | 4 | 3% | $81,598 |
| 6 | Topeka | 4 | 3% | $71,034 |
| 7 | Fremont | 4 | 2% | $115,945 |
| 8 | Montgomery | 4 | 2% | $75,417 |
| 9 | Tallahassee | 4 | 2% | $82,309 |
| 10 | Boston | 9 | 1% | $90,231 |
| 11 | Sacramento | 6 | 1% | $114,359 |
| 12 | Denver | 4 | 1% | $83,725 |
| 13 | Detroit | 4 | 1% | $80,389 |
| 14 | Urban Honolulu | 4 | 1% | $57,857 |
| 15 | Washington | 4 | 1% | $92,307 |
| 16 | Baton Rouge | 3 | 1% | $74,903 |
| 17 | Chicago | 7 | 0% | $82,685 |
| 18 | Indianapolis | 4 | 0% | $75,609 |
| 19 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $92,629 |
Applications Support Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of applications support engineer experts
University of South Alabama
Nova Southeastern University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Gannon University
Eastern Washington University
University of Washington
Bakersfield College
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Allegheny College
Saint Xavier University
Taylor University
John Brown University
Rider University
Union University
Seminole State College of Florida
Harding University
What general advice would you give to an Applications Support Engineer?
Sean Walker: Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are going to be incredibly important in Systems Engineering over the next 3-5 years. MBSE has already become quintessential to the practice of Systems Engineering, which is why it has become a staple of our Master's and Doctoral programs. AI, of course, is changing almost every technical field and will be important to Systems Engineers as well. For Systems Engineers, the challenge will be understanding how and when to apply AI to solve systemic problems. Of course, both of these elements must be applied with an understanding of sociotechnical systems concerns. An engineer with the skills to apply MBSE and AI without losing sight of the humans in the system will be highly sought after.
What Applications Support Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sean Walker: To maximize your salary, it is really essential to learn the tools and methods associated with Systems Engineering while also maintaining a sense of creativity. Employers are not only looking for engineers with the ability to apply specific tools but also the ability to think creatively to solve complex systems problems. I often encourage my students to maintain their creative hobbies so that they don't lose those skills. But, more immediately, gaining a graduate education in Systems Engineering can help any engineer increase their earning potential.
What will help Applications Support Engineers increase their earning potential?
Sean Walker: I think the best advice for a new Systems Engineer, or really any engineer, is to be observant. One of the best things you can do when starting to apply the theoretical aspects that you've learned in school to your new career is to watch and listen to how experienced Systems Engineers practice in the field. This doesn't mean that you can't offer ideas or perspectives that are new, but that there will be challenges in your field that - due to the breadth of Systems Engineering - may not have been covered in your education.
Junping Sun Ph.D.
ProfessorNova Southeastern University
Computer Software And Media Applications
What Applications Support Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Junping Sun Ph.D.: Computer Science and its applications in various fields are very dynamic and constantly evolving, and anyone in the fields needs to prepare to be adaptive by lifelong learning.
What general advice would you give to an Applications Support Engineer?
Anthony Barrese: Pursue opportunities to broaden your experience across systems engineering, development, integration and test, field sales support and professional services positions. Generalist experience becomes invaluable with career advancement. Running a team is much more feasible for leaders who understand the process behind the work their reports deliver.
What Applications Support Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Anthony Barrese: There are many paths leading to increased salary potential. Rapidly developing a deep understanding of customer environments and needs can be one of those, but is often not sufficient on its own. Cultivating strong communication skills, building relationships across the business and distinguishing yourself as a leader will all position you for career advancement and the compensation increases that go along with that.
What will help Applications Support Engineers increase their earning potential?
Anthony Barrese: The ability to listen to the customer is the most critical skill. Deeply understanding the needs of the end user ensures business success. In addition, digital engineering environments and digital twin technology in particular, will become increasingly important. These tools enable gains in efficiency and promote enhanced quality.
What general advice would you give to an Applications Support Engineer?
Mark Whalen P.E.: A system engineer designs, develops, and manages complex technical systems across a large variety of industries. This can include defining solutions to system-level problems, plus allocating requirements, technologies and team member tasking at a project level, as well as communicating complex ideas and systems to key stakeholders.
An entry-level system engineer will typically apply advanced mathematical techniques to solve system-level technical problems, as well as installing, testing, and troubleshooting complex operating systems
What Applications Support Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mark Whalen P.E.: Many system engineers enjoy working across all technologies at a higher organizational level, and interacting with all types of technologists to manage and implement complex technical systems.
Many system engineers can feel challenged by their lack of depth of understanding of particular technologies compared to technical specialists.
What will help Applications Support Engineers increase their earning potential?
Mark Whalen P.E.: There are many complex systems in existence or being developed that require knowledge and experience across many different technologies. Also, system engineering careers can often lead to managerial positions like becoming a project manager, operations manager or chief engineer.
Travis Mandel Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Hawaii at Hilo
Department of Computer Science
What skills will help Applications Support Engineers earn the most?
Travis Mandel Ph.D.: Solid foundational skills in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Even if you are not an AI researcher or machine learning engineer, with AI becoming so pervasive, chances are your code will have to interact with it at some point. Although listing many of the latest technologies (Tensorflow/Keras, Pytorch) looks great on a resume, what is even more valuable is a solid grasp of the fundamentals that transcend specific libraries. Employers will be impressed by someone who can analyze large data sets in languages like Python, communicate effectively with the machine learning teams, and identify new potential ways to integrate machine learning into the product. This is a highly in-demand skillset that can easily help unlock higher-paying positions.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Applications Support Engineers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Stephen Frezza Ph.D.: Computing is ubiquitous, and with more industries moving to remote work, location is becoming less critical. If the internet reaches a place reliably, computing jobs can be located there.
How do you envision technology impacting Applications Support Engineers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Stephen Frezza Ph.D.: Breadth and depth: Computing is becoming more like engineering; where the value of the product, its lifetime risks, costs, and benefits are more critical than just it's roll-out. So the engineering competencies that have always been a part of computing will become more central. Computing is also expanding; the role of data and the shift of once-research technologies (like machine learning) into production applications will continue to require computing graduates to broaden their base and continue as learners. This will cause shifts in what is considered 'fundamental' and the need for professionals to continue to hone and redevelop their technical skill sets.
Christian Hansen Ph.D.
Professor and Department ChairEastern Washington University
Department of Mathematics
What's a day at work look like for an Applications Support Engineer?
Christian Hansen Ph.D.: In the post-pandemic era, a typical workday for a recent graduate will likely involve some form of remote work. I predict that many businesses will benefit from the reduced cost of remote infrastructure compared to the cost of maintaining brick and mortar office space. Many new graduates will continue to spend their day on a computer while collaborating in teams via Zoom and other teleconference tools. People working in disciplines that have traditionally been "on the ground" will move towards more hybrid modes of work, reducing the need for travel and participating in face-to-face meetings and training.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Applications Support Engineers?
Les Atlas: Most certainly an impact, a very strong impact. The best lesson for us is from the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic. That strain of flu still circulates as a seasonal virus. Over 100 years laters, it is now considered a Phase 6 pandemic by the World Health Organization. While it is reduced due to current social distancing and mask wearing, the 1919 Spanish Flu virus still causes community-level outbreaks in multiple parts of the globe. Societal changes from this event of over 100 years ago are still with us.
In fact, they changed society. As is well-documented, after a high level of immunity was reached in the 1920's, the resulting labor shortage enabled workers to demand better living and working conditions, as well as better wages and public health care. As just one example of the societal changes due to the 1919 pandemic, the drop in the male labor force empowered male workers, and also changed the gender composition.
The aftermath of the 1919 pandemic was the start of women joining the labour force. In the United States, the proportion of women in the labour force rose from 18 per cent in 1900 to almost 21 per cent in 1920. In that same year, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution, the Congress of the United States guaranteed all American women the right to vote.
The current COVID-19 pandemic will certainly change the way we live, be it our mobility or the kinds of career options people have. After our current year-long experience in remote learning and work, will we go back to the inefficiencies of going to our office every work day? Or will remote work be acceptable, where one's residence will not be dependent upon the locations of employment. Will we avoid future hotspots of infection, choosing to instead reside and travel in areas where infection is decreasing? Will we prefer to travel on aircraft which are certified to be virus-free and frequent restaurants which are documented to be safer? Future marketing will likely make a sharp turn in this direction.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Applications Support Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Maryam Farahani: In my opinion, technology will play a much bigger role in our day-to-day life compared to the pre-pandemic world. Artificial intelligence and robotics will have a boost in employment numbers. Companies like Amazon, Walmart, Targets and etc, will need more IT and technology specialists to meet their customer's need for online shopping and supplying/delivering products to their customers. Jobs like programmers, data analysts, and technology support positions will have a rise in response to the change in the market due to pandemic.
For so many of the jobs, the need for a physical office is under question now, many employees are working from home and managing/coordinating their projects virtually. This will change the job market forever and job seekers need to learn new skills to adjust to this change.
Right now, healthcare-related job opportunities are growing in response to the rising need. In addition to doctors and nurses, there will be needs for management roles, accountants, technology supports, and lab technicians in health care industry.
What general advice would you give to an Applications Support Engineer?
Maryam Farahani: Thinking about the fields they want to experience or try. And to be intentional about their job search. The best advice is learning as much as they can about what company offers. Visualizing themselves in the next 5 years as a starting point. Do they want to travel a lot, or be in management positions? Do they want to be subject matter expert, or a hands-on engineer or technologist? Their goal may change as they progress in their career but having one makes a big difference in their career choices and keeping them on track.
Dr. T.S. Kalkur
Department ChairUniversity of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
What experience really stands out on Applications Support Engineer resumes?
Dr. T.S. Kalkur: Internship experience and tools used in design.
Oliver Bonham-Carter Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorAllegheny College
Department of Computer Science and Affiliated Faculty in Integrative Informatics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Applications Support Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Oliver Bonham-Carter Ph.D.: Pandemic has accelerated social connectivity trends using technology, including technology for remote work, and e-learning, and technology to make e-commerce more comfortable and faster. I foresee these accelerated technology trends to continue, even after the pandemic, and therefore job markets in these areas to continue to grow. Another big surge we have seen is in data analytics, which has been increasing over the last decade, and COVID-19 has spotlighted this field. I expect data analyst jobs to continue to be in demand and to grow. Also, the pandemic showed us the interconnectedness of technology with other areas. As the need to develop better solutions to fight various diseases heightens, for example, I expect jobs in biotech to grow.
What are the best companies to work for an Applications Support Engineer?
James Vanderhyde: The best companies to work for are companies that respect you as a person and not just a cog in the machine. They are inclusive, and they recognize and appreciate diversity. They have a track record of handling sick leave and family leave as needed. They will not expect you to eat dinner in your office and then go back to work after an already long day. All software companies experience crunch times around release dates, but the best companies do not experience constant crunch. That is a sign of poor management. The best companies will give you challenging problems to work on and reward innovation.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Applications Support Engineers in the next 5 years?
James Vanderhyde: There has been a steady increase in software and IT jobs for the last 20 years, and this is not going to slow down any time soon. In the next 5 years, demand will increase, particularly in software development and cybersecurity. The technology field changes so quickly that beyond 5 years, it is difficult to make predictions. That is why we thoroughly prepare our computer science and information systems students for technology changes and career shifts to discover the best in themselves and to be prepared to meet the demand and excel within the field.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Applications Support Engineers to find work opportunities?
James Vanderhyde: Any big city will have lots of opportunities for computing, software, and IT work. Silicon Valley and the rest of the west coast are the most famous, but innovation is happening everywhere around the country and around the world, including here in Chicago. Chicago tech companies have hired our students upon graduation, and likewise, our graduates have found success and gratification in the field.
Dr. Jonathan Geisler
Associate ProfessorTaylor University
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Applications Support Engineers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Jonathan Geisler: There will be a continued increase in demand for computer engineering
graduates as computers become more heavily integrated into the fabric
of our lives. Things like self-driving cars, the Internet of Things, and
mobile computing will become more commonplace and increase the demand for engineering talent; the long-term trend of using smartphones and web-based applications will not slow, leading to an increase in the
demand for computing talent.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Applications Support Engineers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Ted Junseok Song: Due to COVID-19, people have more choices on location as more companies allow their employees to work remotely.
How do you envision technology impacting Applications Support Engineers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Ted Junseok Song: The question is not whether technology will advance or not. It is, rather, how it will advance. Professionals in the industry need to be equipped to see the customers' demand and where our society is headed. I would recommend college students to be interested in broad topics apart from topics in their major. Well-rounded people will have more opportunities to impact the future.
Dr. Howard Rees
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Information SystemsRider University
Information systems
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Applications Support Engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Howard Rees: Hmm, what technology? That's a question with many different levels of context. For some undergraduates in CS and IT, I would look at systems programming in massively parallel environments, application programming with particular focus on security and privacy, and data science and analytics. For other undergraduates, they might look at artificial intelligence and machine learning, for business applications especially. AI is becoming ubiquitous throughout the business, but it's often used as a "black box."
Meaning that the applications (and those "operating" them) do not understand what's happening inside. AI systems are often "designed, trained, and tested" by the provider and certified as generating the output most desired by the customer but only in a statistical sense. There is no "proof" that the AI black box is, with certainty, doing what the business customer (or the provider for that matter) thinks it is doing - it just does a good job when tested on data. There will be a significant need for tech-savvy people to design, train, monitor, and apply them so that they do not deviate from the desired goals. Such deviations can result in socially destructive business practices. As you can't properly manage what you don't understand, there is a risk in using AI too blindly. CS and IT graduates will need to help out.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Applications Support Engineers?
Dr. Howard Rees: We're moving into a volatile time for the economy, and planning for an uncertain future is what big companies are concerned with. In many ways, the pandemic and concerns over future pandemics that we now know can be globally devastating will be a boon for CS and IT graduates. Face to face business interactions and transactions will be dramatically reduced, both in the short term and in the long run, as there will be a need to hedge against future pandemics. Everything changes from production and operations to supply chain and risk management and diversification to the nature of "office work." And all of that must be underpinned by computer technology: communications, security, data analytics. These are trends that have been developing for the past few decades but the pandemic will accelerate them, and that's all useful, if you're a CS or IT graduate with a broad base of knowledge, which provides you the freedom to adapt.
What general advice would you give to an Applications Support Engineer?
Brian Glas: Build relationships: Different technologies will interest and challenge you, but throughout your career, you'll find that it's the relationships that are the most important. This is harder to grasp earlier in your career, but much easier to understand after 15-20 years.
Gain different perspectives: Spend time with people in other roles that your job interacts with, and gain a solid understanding of how they view things; this is most valuable for career progression and understanding of how your work fits into the big picture.
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.
Professor/Program ManagerSeminole State College of Florida
Center for Information Technology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Applications Support Engineers?
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.: Many I.T. employees already have the option to work remotely (telecommute), but this will become even more important with the Coronavirus challenges. Employees must be able to work remotely and be organized and self-directed. Employers are looking for teleworkers that can work on a task from anywhere.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Applications Support Engineers?
Frank McCown Ph.D.: Many companies have changed their hiring practices. It's not unusual for a new graduate to jump straight into remote work. I predict the move from in-person work to remote work is only going to accelerate as we get more comfortable with it. Once the pandemic dies down, and economic uncertainties start to go away, companies that had been on hiring freezes will likely jump back in, creating a strong market for graduates.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Applications Support Engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.: Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.