Computer Systems Engineers/Architects Salary by State
The national median pay for computer systems engineers/architects is $116,580 a year. By state, it ranges from $76,470 in Tennessee to $156,590 in District of Columbia. These figures are for the broader BLS group “Computer Occupations, All Other”.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $55,940
- 25th percentile
- $79,370
- Median
- $116,580
- 75th percentile
- $157,500
- Top 10%
- $188,470
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job (broader BLS group “Computer Occupations, All Other”). About 435,370 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $156,590 | +34% | $87,400 | $207,700 | 17,200 |
| 2 | Maryland | $144,680 | +24% | $69,910 | $185,220 | 19,060 |
| 3 | Colorado | $139,580 | +20% | $76,140 | $170,800 | 11,800 |
| 4 | Virginia | $139,030 | +19% | $77,130 | $185,950 | 17,000 |
| 5 | Delaware | $137,470 | +18% | $65,820 | $170,850 | 860 |
| 6 | California | $134,440 | +15% | $58,340 | $222,690 | 80,150 |
| 7 | Washington | $128,940 | +11% | $60,210 | $200,610 | 14,360 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $127,720 | +10% | $60,720 | $181,830 | 3,100 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $127,090 | +9% | $70,120 | $194,850 | 1,650 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $120,100 | +3% | $65,950 | $161,700 | 2,080 |
| 11 | New York | $116,990 | 0% | $59,740 | $203,040 | 11,460 |
| 12 | South Carolina | $112,260 | −4% | $53,840 | $165,640 | 4,300 |
| 13 | Texas | $111,530 | −4% | $55,480 | $174,300 | 57,020 |
| 14 | Vermont | $111,530 | −4% | $52,950 | $181,020 | 1,320 |
| 15 | Ohio | $109,780 | −6% | $49,320 | $161,520 | 6,150 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $109,590 | −6% | $55,740 | $183,460 | 6,170 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $108,310 | −7% | $48,380 | $207,950 | 12,010 |
| 18 | Maine | $107,990 | −7% | $65,340 | $172,490 | 900 |
| 19 | Iowa | $107,340 | −8% | $49,990 | $165,920 | 3,850 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $107,230 | −8% | $59,890 | $167,420 | 14,580 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $107,140 | −8% | $51,090 | $172,410 | 3,380 |
| 22 | Alabama | $106,330 | −9% | $59,260 | $151,300 | 2,630 |
| 23 | Alaska | $105,960 | −9% | $62,910 | $140,350 | 710 |
| 24 | Michigan | $105,680 | −9% | $51,440 | $160,830 | 7,440 |
| 25 | Florida | $105,370 | −10% | $52,960 | $173,260 | 13,710 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $105,370 | −10% | $76,900 | $149,430 | 240 |
| 27 | Arizona | $105,240 | −10% | $52,450 | $166,870 | 5,510 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $104,850 | −10% | $39,190 | $175,660 | 15,090 |
| 29 | Georgia | $104,610 | −10% | $60,920 | $173,060 | 20,630 |
| 30 | Kansas | $103,380 | −11% | $49,090 | $143,800 | 1,340 |
| 31 | Oklahoma | $102,520 | −12% | $58,800 | $162,490 | 3,320 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | $102,210 | −12% | $50,700 | $158,670 | 830 |
| 33 | Missouri | $101,040 | −13% | $52,590 | $165,360 | 14,340 |
| 34 | Nevada | $100,220 | −14% | $53,410 | $175,860 | 2,610 |
| 35 | Illinois | $99,360 | −15% | $53,590 | $167,080 | 11,160 |
| 36 | Idaho | $98,700 | −15% | $59,480 | $162,290 | 1,040 |
| 37 | Utah | $97,470 | −16% | $49,990 | $158,350 | 6,680 |
| 38 | Oregon | $97,350 | −16% | $61,290 | $159,140 | 2,450 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $94,520 | −19% | $56,830 | $157,190 | 170 |
| 40 | Indiana | $93,540 | −20% | $28,180 | $138,260 | 3,340 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $92,480 | −21% | $49,830 | $136,410 | 2,280 |
| 42 | Minnesota | $91,750 | −21% | $65,260 | $165,210 | 4,180 |
| 43 | New Hampshire | $91,720 | −21% | $52,380 | $165,300 | 970 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $89,420 | −23% | $44,980 | $136,990 | 1,850 |
| 45 | Wisconsin | $88,130 | −24% | $52,640 | $133,450 | 4,680 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $86,940 | −25% | $45,770 | $135,140 | 1,120 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $86,940 | −25% | $31,380 | $135,500 | 1,450 |
| 48 | Montana | $81,970 | −30% | $37,080 | $126,280 | 540 |
| 49 | North Dakota | $78,330 | −33% | $38,730 | $123,590 | 730 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $77,000 | −34% | $38,190 | $136,990 | 5,020 |
| 51 | Tennessee | $76,470 | −34% | $45,870 | $129,430 | 10,930 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates for the broader group “Computer Occupations, All Other”. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects salary questions
Which state pays computer systems engineers/architects the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $156,590 a year (+34% vs. the national median of $116,580). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays computer systems engineers/architects the least?
Tennessee, with a median of $76,470 a year (−34% vs. national).
Where do most computer systems engineers/architects work?
California has the most jobs, about 80,150, with a median of $134,440.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.