Mid-Level

Systems Engineer

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
I
C
R
E
A
S
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Systems Engineers
Employment concentration · ~400 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Systems Engineer

Content not yet generated for this role.
IndependenceAbove avg
Working ConditionsAbove avg
AchievementAbove avg
RecognitionAbove avg
SupportModerate
RelationshipsLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Systems Engineers (SOC 13-1081.01, 15-1241.00, 15-1252.00, 15-1299.05, 15-1299.07, 15-1299.08, 17-2011.00, 17-2112.00, 17-2112.02, 17-2141.00, 17-2199.05, 17-2199.06, 53-4011.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Systems Engineer career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$49K–$211K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
4.8M
U.S. Employment
+8.55%
10yr Growth
341K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$77K$74K$71K$68K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$77K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Systems AnalysisCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionReading ComprehensionWritingSystems EvaluationReading Comprehension
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
13-1081.0115-1241.0015-1252.0015-1299.0515-1299.0715-1299.0817-2011.0017-2112.0017-2112.0217-2141.0017-2199.0517-2199.0653-4011.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.