upper level job

Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead Salary in the United States

How much does Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead in the United States is $160,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $77.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $180,833
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $151,900 to $171,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $144,343
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
AI-Powered HR
View as table View as graph 25% $151,900 10% $144,343 90% $180,833 75% $171,000 $160,200 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $171,000 $14,250 $3,288 $82
Average $160,200 $13,350 $3,081 $77
25th Percentile $151,900 $12,658 $2,921 $73

Key Factors That Influence Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead Salaries

Design Engineer - Project Senior 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 Senior Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of Design Engineer - Project Senior 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, Senior (4-7 years): $111,963
  • Design Engineer - Project Lead (7+ years): $136,711
  • Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead (7-10 years): $160,160
  • Product Development Design Manager (10+ years): $146,591
  • Product Development Design Senior Manager (10+ years): $183,442
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Design Engineer, Senior4-7 years$111,963
Design Engineer - Project Lead7+ years$136,711
Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead7-10 years$160,160
Product Development Design Manager10+ years$146,591
Product Development Design Senior Manager10+ years$183,442
$111,963 Design En...
$136,711 Design En...
$160,160 Design En...
$146,591 Product D...
$183,442 Product D...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Design Engineer - Project Senior 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:

  • San Jose: $202,100
  • San Francisco: $199,800
  • Oakland: $195,600

What Skills Can Increase Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.25% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Manufacturing Processes (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Applying manufacturing methods, technologies and processes to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.
  • Casting (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Casting is a manufacturing process in which a liquid material is usually poured into a mold, which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape, and then allowed to solidify. It is used for making complex shapes that would be otherwise difficult.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.25%
Manufacturing Processes 2.06%
Casting 1.03%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead's salary.
  • Injection Molding: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • CNC: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Effective Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Injection Molding
$179,424
12%
CNC
$174,618
9%
Effective Communication
$173,016
8%
Process Development
$169,812
6%
Design of Experiments
$169,812
6%
Collaboration
$168,210
5%
Get Latest Data

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

Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $179,182. While startup companies pay approximate $151,535.

Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$151,535
Growth Stage51~500$160,272
Established501~5000$173,035
Enterprise5000+$179,182

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

For Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 47% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$200,250$96.025%
Financial Services$184,230$89.015%
Software & Networking$184,230$89.015%
Pharmaceuticals$176,220$85.010%
Telecom$171,414$82.07%

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

Understanding how Design Engineer - Project Senior 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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead Salary Growth & Career Path

For Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Product Development Design Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $146,600 - a projected growth of -8% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead

Salaries for Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $163,830 in 2023 to around $162,125 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$163,830
2024
$163,531
2025
$162,125
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $163,830
2024 $163,531
2025 $162,125
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead

Here are companies hiring for Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much does a senior design engineer make in the US?

As of now, the salary for a Senior Design Engineer in the US ranges from $157,600 to $190,100 annually, with a midpoint of $172,800. This translates to approximately $75.77 to $91.24 per hour, or $3,050 to $3,650 per week.

3. How long does it take to become a senior design engineer?

The time to become a senior design engineer varies by company, typically ranging from five to fifteen years of experience. Many organizations expect candidates to progress through entry and mid-level roles before promotion. Salaries for this position range from $157,600 to $190,100, with a midpoint of $172,800, reflecting the expertise and experience required.

4. How much do design leads make in the US?

Design Engineers in the US, particularly at the Senior Lead level, earn competitive salaries. The minimum salary is approximately $157,600, with a mid-range salary of about $172,800, and top earners can make up to $190,100 annually. This reflects the high demand and specialized skills required for this role in the industry.

5. What is the difference between team lead and engineer?

While both roles emphasize leadership, they serve distinct functions. A Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead focuses on guiding the engineering team to enhance performance and job satisfaction, earning a salary ranging from $157,600 to $190,100. In contrast, a tech lead sets the vision and processes for coding, ensuring technical direction and quality.

6. Is a project manager higher than a Project Engineer?

A project manager typically holds a higher position than a project engineer. While project engineers focus on the technical and operational aspects of a project, project managers oversee the overall business and logistical elements. In terms of salary, a Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead earns between $157,600 and $190,100, reflecting the higher responsibility associated with project management roles.

7. What is a lead design engineer?

A lead design engineer is responsible for preparing design specifications for new products that align with client and industry standards. They create assembly and manufacturing drawings, along with bills of materials. Additionally, they provide guidance to operations staff regarding the testing and assembly of equipment. The salary for this role ranges from $157,600 to $190,100, with a midpoint of $172,800.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job