upper level job

Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salary in the United States

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

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

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $158,978
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,720 to $151,740
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,641
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered HR
Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits
Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $132,720 10% $122,641 90% $158,978 75% $151,740 $143,790 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $151,740 $12,645 $2,918 $73
Average $143,790 $11,983 $2,765 $69
25th Percentile $132,720 $11,060 $2,552 $64
Check out Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Job Openings in the United States
RN

Geisinger - WILKES BARRE, PA

CT Technologist

University of Kansas Health System - OLATHE, KS

Laboratory Assistant Lead

Christus Health - TYLER, TX

Civil Engineer

Gray & Osborne, Inc. - OLYMPIA, WA

Search More Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Jobs in the United States
Choose Similar Job
Choose Category
Cost of Living
Hourly Wages
See it in Action

Key Factors That Influence Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salaries

An Electronics 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 Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Electronics 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:

  • Electronics Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $99,501
  • Electronics Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $120,759
  • Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead (7+ years): $143,786
  • Electronics Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $169,241
  • Electronic Systems Engineer VI (10-12 years): $221,494
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Electronics Design Engineer II2-4 years$99,501
Electronics Design Engineer III4-7 years$120,759
Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead7+ years$143,786
Electronics Design Engineer V7-10 years$169,241
Electronic Systems Engineer VI10-12 years$221,494
$99,501 Electroni...
$120,759 Electroni...
$143,786 Electroni...
$169,241 Electroni...
$221,494 Electroni...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Electronics 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 Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $159,200.
  • California: $158,600.
  • Massachusetts: $156,490.

Top Paying Cities for Electronics 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: $181,360
  • San Francisco: $179,380
  • Oakland: $175,600

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 11.86% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Ethernet (Mentioned in 3.09% Job Postings): Ethernet is the traditional technology for connecting devices in a wired local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). It enables devices to communicate with each other via a protocol, which is a set of rules or common network language.
  • Computer Engineering (Mentioned in 1.8% Job Postings): Computer engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that integrates several fields of computer science and electronic engineering required to develop computer hardware and software.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 11.86%
Ethernet 3.09%
Computer Engineering 1.8%
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 Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead's salary.
  • Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • CAD: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Making An Impact: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Attention to Detail
 $165,359
15%
CAD
 $158,169
10%
Making An Impact
 $156,731
9%
Programming
 $156,731
9%
Python
 $156,731
9%
Prototyping
 $156,731
9%
Get Latest Data

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

Electronics 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 $160,828. While startup companies pay approximate $136,012.

Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$136,012
Growth Stage51~500$143,854
Established501~5000$155,310
Enterprise5000+$160,828

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

For Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$201,306$97.040%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Electronics 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 Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead with a Bachelor's Degree is between $140,670 and $149,795).

Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.4%
High School 41.7%
Associates 2.4%
Bachelors 41.7%
Masters 42.9%
Doctorate 13.1%
view as graph

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

Understanding how an Electronics 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$132,720
Average $143,790/year
$151,740
$11,060
Average $11,983/month
$12,645
$2,552
Average $2,765/week
$2,918
$64
Average $69/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,740 $12,645 $2,918 $73
Average $143,790 $11,983 $2,765 $69
25th Percentile $132,720 $11,060 $2,552 $64

Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salary Growth & Career Path

Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead
Digital Signal Processing Engineer V
EE V
Electronics Design Engineer V
RF Engineer V
Digital Signal Processing Engineer VI
Electrical Engineering Team Leader I
Electronic Systems Engineering Manager
Radio Frequency Design Engineer VI

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Electronics 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.

Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Digital Signal Processing Engineer V $191,000 33%
EE V $166,900 16%
Electronics Design Engineer V $169,300 18%
RF Engineer V $177,653 24%

Salaries of jobs related to Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

Salary Trends for Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

Salaries for an Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $150,515 in 2023 to around $144,555 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$150,515
2024
$147,113
2025
$144,555
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $150,515
2024 $147,113
2025 $144,555
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project 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 Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

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

Find Your Next Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project 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 Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. What's the highest paid project manager?

The highest paid project managers, such as Electronics Engineer Specialists or Project Leads, can earn significantly more, with salaries ranging from $132,420 to $165,660 annually. This positions them well above typical project management roles, which often range from $57,500 to $110,500 per year.

3. What is a lead engineer?

A lead engineer is a technical professional who provides engineering leadership for a team of engineers. They mentor junior engineers and contribute to the design and development of new products and features. In the role of an Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead, salaries range from $132,420 to $165,660, with a mid-salary of $149,280.

4. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineering role in the USA is the Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead, with a salary range from $132,420 to $165,660, and a median salary of $149,280. This positions them among the top earners in the engineering field, surpassing other roles like Mechanical and Environmental Engineers.

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

In the US, an Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead typically earns between $132,420 and $165,660 annually, with a median salary of around $149,280. This reflects a more specialized role compared to general project specialists, whose average salary is significantly lower at approximately $66,210.

6. What is a good salary for an engineer in USA?

A good salary for an Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead in the USA ranges from $132,420 to $165,660, with a median salary of approximately $149,280. This is significantly higher than the overall median annual wage for all occupations, which is $48,060, highlighting the competitive pay in the engineering field.

7. What is the highest salary for ECE engineers in USA?

The highest salary for Electronics Engineer Specialists/Project Leads in the USA can reach up to $165,660 per year. While some cities report varying salaries, such as Cupertino, CA at $157,093, the overall salary range for this role typically falls between $132,420 and $165,660, reflecting the demand and expertise in the field.

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