How much does a Specialist Software Engineer make in the United States?
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The average Specialist Software Engineer salary in the United States is $111,167 as of March 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Specialist Software Engineer positions (listed below) typically falls between $100,544 and $121,789. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Specialist Software Engineer's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Software Engineer Specialist | $130,980 | $62.97 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Release Engineer Specialist | $145,690 | $70.04 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer IV | $159,152 | $76.52 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Embedded Software Engineer IV | $157,751 | $75.84 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV | $136,471 | $65.61 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer - Project Lead | $159,190 | $76.53 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Backend Software Engineer IV | $158,310 | $76.11 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Software QA Engineer IV | $136,500 | $65.63 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Systems Engineer IV | $150,708 | $72.46 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer | $139,060 | $66.86 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
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The Software Release Engineer Specialist is responsible for the design and development of builds, scripts, installation procedures, and systems including source code control and issue tracking. Responsible for software builds and releases. Being a Software Release Engineer Specialist requires a bachelor's degree. Works closely with a quality assurance team to ensure final version is up to organizational standards. Being a Software Release Engineer Specialist work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Working as a Software Release Engineer Specialist typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Software Release Engineer Specialist SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Release Engineer IV, Build and Release Engineer Specialist, Deployment Engineer Specialist
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Software Engineer IV designs and develops software applications. Gathers and evaluates end-user requirements. Being a Software Engineer IV develops build plans. Performs coding, debugging, testing, code review, and troubleshooting throughout the software development lifecycle. Additionally, Software Engineer IV requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Typically reports to a manager. The Software Engineer IV work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. To be a Software Engineer IV typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Software Engineer IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software Developer IV, Software Engineer - Project Lead
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Embedded Software Engineer IV designs, develops, tests, debugs, and implements embedded software and systems. Develops software and firmware source code in C/C++, Embedded C, and other languages. Being an Embedded Software Engineer IV understanding of common communication interfaces like SPI, I2C, USB, UART, and others. Utilizes version control, simulation, debugging, and other development tools. Additionally, Embedded Software Engineer IV collaborates cross functionally with hardware engineers. Provides engineering support for testing, deployment, and updates. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or related field. Typically reports to a manager. The Embedded Software Engineer IV work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. To be an Embedded Software Engineer IV typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Embedded Software Engineer IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Firmware Engineer IV
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Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Being a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. The Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. To be a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer IV, Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV
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The Software Engineer - Project Lead performs coding, debugging, testing and troubleshooting throughout the application development process. Designs and develops software applications. Being a Software Engineer - Project Lead typically reports to a manager. Requires a bachelor's degree. Software Engineer - Project Lead is a specialist on complex technical and business matters. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. Working as a Software Engineer - Project Lead typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Software Engineer - Project Lead SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software Engineer IV, Software Developer IV
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The Backend Software Engineer IV implements and tests web services and API's utilizing standard frameworks and source control tools to ensure product functionality, speed, and security. Develops, builds, and maintains scalable back-end solutions for server applications. Being a Backend Software Engineer IV knows commonly used languages, development tools, and frameworks. Collaborates with frontend developers, product managers, and designers to deliver server-side applications and integrate user-facing elements. In addition, Backend Software Engineer IV requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Being a Backend Software Engineer IV work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Working as a Backend Software Engineer IV typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Backend Software Engineer IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Backend Developer IV, Backend Applications Developer IV
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The Software QA Engineer IV analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Being a Software QA Engineer IV isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. In addition, Software QA Engineer IV documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Being a Software QA Engineer IV work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Working as a Software QA Engineer IV typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Software QA Engineer IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV, Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV
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Software Systems Engineer IV designs, develops, supports, and maintains the organization's systems infrastructure. Writes code that ensures functionality of operating systems, drivers, and utility tools. Being a Software Systems Engineer IV updates system related installation documentation and performs end-user support. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Additionally, Software Systems Engineer IV typically reports to a manager. The Software Systems Engineer IV work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. To be a Software Systems Engineer IV typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Software Systems Engineer IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Enterprise Systems Engineer IV, Systems Infrastructure Engineer IVCategory : IT - All
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A software engineer, sometimes referred to as a software developer, applies engineering principles and methodologies to design and develop complicated software systems and applications. Software engineers focus on analyzing and translating user requirements into an application or control system design. Software engineers may design complex systems for use in aircraft, manufacturing, military, energy generation and healthcare devices. They typically do not perform the actual coding, although in some cases they may. Software engineers generally work in teams to design and develop a computer system. View Software Engineer Salary