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Design Engineer - Project Lead Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Design Engineer - Project Lead make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Engineer - Project Lead in District of Columbia is $151,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

However, a Design Engineer - Project Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $175,472
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $137,200 to $164,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $124,272
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View as table View as graph 25% $137,200 10% $124,272 90% $175,472 75% $164,000 $151,400 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Design Engineer - Project Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $164,000 $13,667 $3,154 $79
Average $151,400 $12,617 $2,912 $73
25th Percentile $137,200 $11,433 $2,638 $66
Check out Design Engineer - Project Lead Job Openings in District of Columbia
Project Engineer

Allegiance Group - Washington, DC

Project Engineer

The Bell Company - Washington, DC

Construction Project Engineer

Doyon Government Group - Washington, DC

Project Manager

Walter P Moore - Washington, DC

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Key Factors That Influence Design Engineer - Project Lead Salaries

A Design Engineer - Project Lead's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Design Engineer - Project Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Design Engineer - Project Lead's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Design Engineer, Intermediate (2-4 years): $99,172
  • Design Engineer, Senior (4-7 years): $123,965
  • Design Engineer - Project Lead (7+ years): $151,366
  • Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead (7-10 years): $177,329
  • Product Development Design Manager (10+ years): $162,306
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Design Engineer, Intermediate2-4 years$99,172
Design Engineer, Senior4-7 years$123,965
Design Engineer - Project Lead7+ years$151,366
Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead7-10 years$177,329
Product Development Design Manager10+ years$162,306
$99,172 Design En...
$123,965 Design En...
$151,366 Design En...
$177,329 Design En...
$162,306 Product D...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Design Engineer - Project Leads

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Parcel Return Service: $150,600
  • Washington: $150,600
  • Naval Anacost Annex: $150,600

Design Engineer - Project Lead Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Design Engineer - Project Lead salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $169,340. While startup companies pay approximate $143,211.

Design Engineer - Project Lead Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$143,211
Growth Stage51~500$151,468
Established501~5000$163,530
Enterprise5000+$169,340

Design Engineer - Project Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Design Engineer - Project Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 46% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Design Engineer - Project Lead positions in Transportation or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Engineer - Project Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Design Engineer - Project Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$178,652$86.018%
Aerospace & Defense$174,110$84.015%
Business Services$174,110$84.015%
Biotechnology$166,540$80.010%
Media$166,540$80.010%

Design Engineer - Project Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Design Engineer - Project Lead's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$137,200
Average $151,400/year
$164,000
$11,433
Average $12,617/month
$13,667
$2,638
Average $2,912/week
$3,154
$66
Average $73/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $164,000 $13,667 $3,154 $79
Average $151,400 $12,617 $2,912 $73
25th Percentile $137,200 $11,433 $2,638 $66

Design Engineer - Project Lead Salary Growth & Career Path

Design Engineer - Project Lead
Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead
Product Development Design Manager

For a Design Engineer - Project Lead, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $177,400 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Design Engineer - Project Lead

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Cost of Living In District of Columbia

Cost of Living in District of Columbia is
10.7% Higher
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

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