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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 May 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): $159,016
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,730 to $151,760
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,660
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View as table View as graph 25% $132,730 10% $122,660 90% $159,016 75% $151,760 $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 $151,760 $12,647 $2,918 $73
Average $143,790 $11,983 $2,765 $69
25th Percentile $132,730 $11,061 $2,553 $64
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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): $99,503
  • Electronics Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $120,759
  • Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead (7+ years): $143,787
  • Electronics Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $169,248
  • Electronic Systems Engineer VI (10-12 years): $221,433
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Electronics Design Engineer II2-4 years$99,503
Electronics Design Engineer III4-7 years$120,759
Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead7+ years$143,787
Electronics Design Engineer V7-10 years$169,248
Electronic Systems Engineer VI10-12 years$221,433
$99,503 Electroni...
$120,759 Electroni...
$143,787 Electroni...
$169,248 Electroni...
$221,433 Electroni...
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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: $159,210.
  • 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%
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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%
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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 May 01, 2026
$132,730
Average $143,790/year
$151,760
$11,061
Average $11,983/month
$12,647
$2,553
Average $2,765/week
$2,918
$64
Average $69/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,760 $12,647 $2,918 $73
Average $143,790 $11,983 $2,765 $69
25th Percentile $132,730 $11,061 $2,553 $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 $177,643 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)
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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.

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FAQ about Electronics Engineer Specialist/Project Lead

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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