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Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salary in the United States

How much does an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead in the United States is $143,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.

However, an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $159,074
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,790 to $151,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,775
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salaries

An Electrical Engineer Specialist/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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Electrical Engineer Specialist/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:

  • EE II (2-4 years): $99,277
  • EE III (4-7 years): $120,758
  • Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead (7+ years): $143,785
  • EE V (7-10 years): $166,797
  • EE VI (10-12 years): $200,759
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
EE II2-4 years$99,277
EE III4-7 years$120,758
Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead7+ years$143,785
EE V7-10 years$166,797
EE VI10-12 years$200,759
View as Graph

How Do Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $159,190.
  • California: $158,590.
  • Massachusetts: $156,490.

Top Paying Cities for Electrical Engineer Specialist/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:

  • San Jose: $181,390
  • San Francisco: $179,390
  • Oakland: $175,590

What Skills Can Increase an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.89% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 3.29% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • Renewable Energy (Mentioned in 1.63% Job Postings): Using renewable energy sources for more sustainable business operations to drive environmental risk and cost reduction.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.89%
AutoCAD 3.29%
Renewable Energy 1.63%
See More Skills

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 an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead's salary.

  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Circuit Design: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prototyping $152,417
6%
Verbal Communication $149,542
4%
Circuit Design $149,542
4%
Get Latest Data

Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $160,691. While startup companies pay approximate $135,928.

Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $135,928
Growth Stage 51~500 $143,758
Established 501~5000 $155,168
Enterprise 5000+ $160,691

Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 52% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead positions in Internet or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$175,424$84.022%
Energy & Utilities$165,358$79.015%
Aerospace & Defense$161,045$77.012%
MFG Nondurable$161,045$77.012%
Construction$158,169$76.010%

How Education impacts an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Leads enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead with a Bachelor's Degree is between $134,697 and $140,777).

Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 0.6%
Associates 0.5%
Bachelors 44.6%
Masters 41.6%
Doctorate 12.6%
View as Graph

Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Electrical Engineer Specialist/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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$132,790
Average $143,790/year
$151,790
$11,066
Average $11,983/month
$12,649
$2,554
Average $2,765/week
$2,919
$64
Average $69/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,790 $12,649 $2,919 $73
Average $143,790 $11,983 $2,765 $69
25th Percentile $132,790 $11,066 $2,554 $64

Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salary Growth & Career Path

Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Digital Signal Processing Engineer V $191,100 33%
EE V $166,800 16%
Electronics Design Engineer V $169,300 18%
RF Engineer V $177,663 24%

Most common benefits for Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

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

Common company salaries for Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

Here are companies hiring for Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead roles, with salaries approximately 22% above the market median.

2. Do electrical engineers make 6 figures?

Yes, electrical engineers can make six figures. For example, the salary data for an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead shows a minimum salary of $129,790, a mid-range salary of $140,890, and a maximum salary of $152,290. This indicates that many professionals in this field earn well above the six-figure mark.

3. What is the average salary of lead quality engineer?

The average salary for an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead ranges from $129,790 to $152,290, with a midpoint of $140,890. In comparison, recent data for Lead Quality Assurance Engineers in the UK shows salaries between £47K and £75K, indicating a significant difference in compensation levels across these engineering roles.

4. How much does a project control specialist make in the US?

As of January 4, 2025, the salary for a Project Controls Specialist in the United States ranges from a minimum of $129,790 to a maximum of $152,290, with a mid-salary of $140,890. This translates to an average hourly rate of approximately $62.34 to $73.00, depending on experience and specific job responsibilities.

5. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineering role in the USA is the Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead, with a salary range from $129,790 to $152,290. This position surpasses other engineering roles, such as Mechanical Engineers and Environmental Engineers, which have median salaries around $96,310 and $96,530, respectively.

6. How much does a lead generation specialist make in the US?

How much does a Lead Generation Specialist make? As of now, the salary for an Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead in the US ranges from $129,790 to $152,290 annually, with a midpoint of $140,890. This translates to approximately $62.34 to $73.14 per hour, or $10,815 to $12,690 monthly.

7. Which engineer has the highest salary?

The Electrical Engineer Specialist/Project Lead has a competitive salary range, with a minimum of $129,790, a mid-level salary of $140,890, and a maximum of $152,290. This positions them among the higher-paying engineering roles, alongside fields like Petroleum Engineering, which also offers substantial compensation.

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.

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