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Best states for a systems software specialist
Quoted expert
Vince Bowen
- Rank 1 - 10
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Are you thinking of becoming a systems software specialist and really want to work at Hughes Communications? Turns out, your chances to become a systems software specialist are better in some states than others.In fact, our research shows that Nevada is the best state for systems software specialists in America. The best city in America for systems software specialists with the highest pay is San Francisco, CA.
The median salary for systems software specialists in Nevada is $108,246. Compare that to the median salary in Illinois of $76,717, which ranked worst for systems software specialists, and you can see how your location is important for your career.We found that Nevada is the best state for systems software specialist jobs, whereas Illinois is the worst.
10 best states for systems software specialists in 2026
1. Nevada
Total systems software specialist jobs: 540 Average annual salary: $108,246 Lowest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $146,000 Location Quotient: 1.66
2. Washington
Total systems software specialist jobs: 1,157 Average annual salary: $125,554 Lowest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location Quotient: 1.02
3. Arizona
Total systems software specialist jobs: 1,015 Average annual salary: $105,491 Lowest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location Quotient: 1.11
4. New Mexico
Total systems software specialist jobs: 533 Average annual salary: $95,240 Lowest 10 percent earn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location Quotient: 1.74
5. Oregon
Total systems software specialist jobs: 564 Average annual salary: $114,437 Lowest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location Quotient: 0.87
6. California
Total systems software specialist jobs: 4,179 Average annual salary: $118,889 Lowest 10 percent earn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $161,000 Location Quotient: 0.92
7. Ohio
Total systems software specialist jobs: 2,234 Average annual salary: $94,059 Lowest 10 percent earn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $121,000 Location Quotient: 1.4
8. Vermont
Total systems software specialist jobs: 129 Average annual salary: $99,362 Lowest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location Quotient: 1.08
9. Idaho
Total systems software specialist jobs: 206 Average annual salary: $103,542 Lowest 10 percent earn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location Quotient: 0.8
10. Wyoming
Total systems software specialist jobs: 115 Average annual salary: $91,628 Lowest 10 percent earn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $119,000 Location Quotient: 1.23
Systems software specialist jobsNear Columbus, OH
How Zippia determines the best states to be a systems software specialist
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed list of the best states for a systems software specialist
| Rank | State | Average salary | Lowest 10% earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $108,246 | $79,000 | 2,998,039 | 540 |
| 2 | Washington | $125,554 | $95,000 | 7,405,743 | 1,157 |
| 3 | Arizona | $105,491 | $79,000 | 7,016,270 | 1,015 |
| 4 | New Mexico | $95,240 | $72,000 | 2,088,070 | 533 |
| 5 | Oregon | $114,437 | $85,000 | 4,142,776 | 564 |
| 6 | California | $118,889 | $87,000 | 39,536,653 | 4,179 |
| 7 | Ohio | $94,059 | $72,000 | 11,658,609 | 2,234 |
| 8 | Vermont | $99,362 | $76,000 | 623,657 | 129 |
| 9 | Idaho | $103,542 | $77,000 | 1,716,943 | 206 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $91,628 | $70,000 | 579,315 | 115 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $99,803 | $76,000 | 693,972 | 531 |
| 12 | Utah | $98,329 | $73,000 | 3,101,833 | 396 |
| 13 | New York | $108,363 | $82,000 | 19,849,399 | 1,478 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $97,486 | $78,000 | 1,427,538 | 280 |
| 15 | Alaska | $97,312 | $83,000 | 739,795 | 156 |
| 16 | Colorado | $94,629 | $72,000 | 5,607,154 | 1,112 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $89,933 | $70,000 | 5,795,483 | 1,313 |
| 18 | Maine | $96,976 | $74,000 | 1,335,907 | 155 |
| 19 | Alabama | $93,571 | $72,000 | 4,874,747 | 573 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $94,970 | $72,000 | 6,859,819 | 1,546 |
| 21 | South Carolina | $90,499 | $70,000 | 5,024,369 | 815 |
| 22 | Iowa | $91,691 | $71,000 | 3,145,711 | 475 |
| 23 | Texas | $92,730 | $71,000 | 28,304,596 | 2,834 |
| 24 | Florida | $90,591 | $69,000 | 20,984,400 | 2,423 |
| 25 | Maryland | $89,567 | $68,000 | 6,052,177 | 1,484 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $84,489 | $65,000 | 869,666 | 286 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $89,711 | $68,000 | 12,805,537 | 1,341 |
| 28 | Michigan | $89,729 | $69,000 | 9,962,311 | 929 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $81,983 | $63,000 | 1,815,857 | 356 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $83,037 | $64,000 | 6,715,984 | 1,111 |
| 31 | Delaware | $88,345 | $67,000 | 961,939 | 182 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $85,493 | $67,000 | 755,393 | 151 |
| 33 | Montana | $89,514 | $68,000 | 1,050,493 | 139 |
| 34 | Arkansas | $86,863 | $67,000 | 3,004,279 | 290 |
| 35 | Kansas | $80,329 | $62,000 | 2,913,123 | 712 |
| 36 | New Hampshire | $87,719 | $67,000 | 1,342,795 | 221 |
| 37 | Indiana | $85,819 | $66,000 | 6,666,818 | 574 |
| 38 | Virginia | $80,143 | $61,000 | 8,470,020 | 2,590 |
| 39 | New Jersey | $89,188 | $67,000 | 9,005,644 | 862 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $79,018 | $61,000 | 3,930,864 | 569 |
| 41 | Rhode Island | $82,495 | $62,000 | 1,059,639 | 174 |
| 42 | Georgia | $85,964 | $66,000 | 10,429,379 | 1,140 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $78,113 | $60,000 | 2,984,100 | 383 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $79,098 | $61,000 | 4,684,333 | 552 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $80,793 | $62,000 | 10,273,419 | 1,226 |
| 46 | Connecticut | $82,443 | $62,000 | 3,588,184 | 460 |
| 47 | Minnesota | $84,792 | $66,000 | 5,576,606 | 684 |
| 48 | Missouri | $75,766 | $58,000 | 6,113,532 | 1,208 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $76,181 | $59,000 | 4,454,189 | 632 |
| 50 | Nebraska | $77,955 | $60,000 | 1,920,076 | 301 |
| 51 | Illinois | $76,717 | $59,000 | 12,802,023 | 1,251 |
Highest paying states for systems software specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. Systems Software Specialist Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $108,246 |
| 2 | Washington | $125,554 |
| 3 | Arizona | $105,491 |
| 4 | New Mexico | $95,240 |
| 5 | Oregon | $114,437 |
| 6 | California | $118,889 |
| 7 | Ohio | $94,059 |
| 8 | Vermont | $99,362 |
| 9 | Idaho | $103,542 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $91,628 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $99,803 |
| 12 | Utah | $98,329 |
| 13 | New York | $108,363 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $97,486 |
| 15 | Alaska | $97,312 |
| 16 | Colorado | $94,629 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $89,933 |
| 18 | Maine | $96,976 |
| 19 | Alabama | $93,571 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $94,970 |
| 21 | South Carolina | $90,499 |
| 22 | Iowa | $91,691 |
| 23 | Texas | $92,730 |
| 24 | Florida | $90,591 |
| 25 | Maryland | $89,567 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $84,489 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $89,711 |
| 28 | Michigan | $89,729 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $81,983 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $83,037 |
| 31 | Delaware | $88,345 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $85,493 |
| 33 | Montana | $89,514 |
| 34 | Arkansas | $86,863 |
| 35 | Kansas | $80,329 |
| 36 | New Hampshire | $87,719 |
| 37 | Indiana | $85,819 |
| 38 | Virginia | $80,143 |
| 39 | New Jersey | $89,188 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $79,018 |
| 41 | Rhode Island | $82,495 |
| 42 | Georgia | $85,964 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $78,113 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $79,098 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $80,793 |
| 46 | Connecticut | $82,443 |
| 47 | Minnesota | $84,792 |
| 48 | Missouri | $75,766 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $76,181 |
| 50 | Nebraska | $77,955 |
| 51 | Illinois | $76,717 |
Expert opinions on the best states for systems software specialists
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for systems software specialists to find work opportunities?
Vince Bowen
Executive Director, Department Chair Energy Systems Technology & Education Center (ESTEC), Idaho State University
Any large city will have several openings. Beyond that, these people can work anywhere in the world.
Systems software specialist best states FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025