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Job outlook for senior computer systems engineers in the United States
Senior computer systems engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior computer systems engineer job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 18,200 new jobs for senior computer systems engineers are projected over the next decade.
Senior computer systems engineer salaries have increased 9% for senior computer systems engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 50,960 senior computer systems engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 128,855 active senior computer systems engineer job openings in the US.
The average senior computer systems engineer salary is $92,532.
Are senior computer systems engineer jobs in demand?
Senior computer systems engineer job and salary trends over time
Senior computer systems engineer jobs over time
Senior computer systems engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 50,960 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 50,737 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 45,610 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 114,985 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 112,277 | 0.03% |
Average senior computer systems engineer salary over time
Senior computer systems engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $92,532 | $44.49 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $89,483 | $43.02 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $87,457 | $42.05 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $86,445 | $41.56 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $84,953 | $40.84 | +2.4% |
Senior computer systems engineer jobs by state
Most common states for senior computer systems engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 734 | 106% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3,347 | 40% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 2,416 | 40% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,713 | 31% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,856 | 27% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 191 | 26% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 162 | 26% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 142 | 25% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 323 | 24% |
| 10 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,718 | 23% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 224 | 23% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 648 | 21% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 162 | 21% |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,380 | 20% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 826 | 20% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 210 | 20% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 7,488 | 19% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 397 | 19% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 168 | 19% |
| 20 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,031 | 18% |
Most common cities for senior computer systems engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herndon | 1 | 4% | $82,963 |
| 2 | Sterling | 1 | 4% | $82,948 |
| 3 | Springfield | 1 | 3% | $83,023 |
| 4 | Cambridge | 2 | 2% | $85,469 |
| 5 | Burke | 1 | 2% | $82,957 |
| 6 | Manassas | 1 | 2% | $82,773 |
| 7 | Reston | 1 | 2% | $82,985 |
| 8 | Dayton | 1 | 1% | $77,538 |
| 9 | Gaithersburg | 1 | 1% | $91,271 |
| 10 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $91,451 |
| 11 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $83,290 |
| 12 | Kansas City | 1 | 0% | $69,400 |
Senior Computer Systems Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior computer systems engineer experts
Hampton University
University of South Alabama
Stevens Institute of Technology
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Northwood University
Albertus Magnus College
SUNY Potsdam
What general advice would you give to a Senior Computer Systems Engineer?
Dr. Yohannes Bekele: By entering the computer engineering profession now, individuals can take advantage of the high skilled-power demand in the field, diverse career paths broadly classified under hardware and software sub-areas, lucrative salaries as compared to other fields, continuous learning opportunities, and the potential for entrepreneurship in changing ideas into startup businesses easily. It is a field that offers long-term growth prospects and the chance to contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies.
What will help Senior Computer Systems Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Yohannes Bekele: In being a computer engineer, people like all the advantages in the field including attractive compensation packages and lucrative salaries, the intellectual satisfaction of solving complex problems, opportunities for continuous learning and innovation as technology rapidly evolves, ability to work on cutting-edge technologies and contribute to their development and the diverse career paths across hardware, software, embedded systems, and various industries. The main struggle most people have in becoming a computer engineer is its steep learning curve especially when it comes to hardware design and related areas. It takes years to become proficient in the field as compared to other fields such as software programming where a relatively shorter amount of time is enough to join the workforce. In addition, the ever evolving environment with constantly changing technologies, standards, and the need to keep learning new things makes it difficult to achieve the epitome in the field.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Computer Systems 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 Senior Computer Systems 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 Senior Computer Systems 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.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Computer Systems 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 Senior Computer Systems 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 Senior Computer Systems 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.
Dr. Darshika Perera Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Computer Engineering
What Senior Computer Systems Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Darshika Perera Ph.D.: Most of our computer engineering students at UCCS get job offers before they graduate with salaries ranging from $80k to $110k. Students should go for industry internships before graduating to familiarize themselves with industry settings and boost their career as well as salary potential. Students should emphasize their technical skills and know-how gained throughout their computer engineering degree program, demonstrate how those skills differentiate from other degree programs (such as computer science) and match with the expertise that companies are looking for, and highlight how they can be a valuable asset to the company to maximize their salary potential when seeking careers in this field.
What Senior Computer Systems 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 Senior Computer Systems 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.
Professor David Sanford
Associate Professor an Department Chair (MIS, CS, CYB MGT, IS CYB)Northwood University
Computer And Information Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Senior Computer Systems Engineer?
Professor David Sanford: Workers like that they are challenged to solve problems and lead technological innovations.
They appreciate the diversity of projects
They enjoy the need for continuous improvement and education
Many see the global impact of their work.
They also desire and appreciate the need for versatile skills
A competitive salary is also an item that employees like
Workers dislike that the work can be stressful
Dealing with tight deadlines and/ or cybersecurity concerns.
This is a positive and a negative: The need to constantly stay up to date with technology can be a bit overwhelming for some.
There may be times of isolation, and
The unexpected system failures can be frustrating as they often require extra hours or the need to be on-call.
The multiple responsibilities and managing repetitive tasks are also issues workers point out in this field.
In short, the workplace offers exciting opportunities but comes with its fair share of pressures and challenges. Different people have different experiences based on their roles and personal preferences.
David Garaventa
Director, Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity Programs, Assistant Professor, CISAlbertus Magnus College
Business Administration and Management Department
What skills stand out on Senior Computer Systems Engineer resumes?
David Garaventa: The skills/attributes required across a variety of jobs in the IT fields.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Computer Systems Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Christopher Lanz: I'm not sure any trend will be relevant long term. Short term, there will be increased competition among job applicants, since, as the economy contracts, there will obviously be fewer positions in toto. Thus applicants with more thorough training, or perhaps those with more or better certificates, will have an important advantage.
We have seen no decline in demand for trained computer scientists, who have always enjoyed a tremendous advantage in the job search (100% of our graduates go immediately into a job after graduating).
What's a good job out of college for Senior Computer Systems Engineers?
Christopher Lanz: The industry is screaming for qualified techies. In Burlington, for example, firms are unable to fnd who they need. Firms actually compete for our graduates. Any job in the industry, therefore, tends to be high-paying and secure.