upper level job

Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead Salary in the United States

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

As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead in the United States is $140,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $155,484
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $130,700 to $148,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,051
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
AI-Powered HR
View as table View as graph 25% $130,700 10% $122,051 90% $155,484 75% $148,200 $140,200 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $148,200 $12,350 $2,850 $71
Average $140,200 $11,683 $2,696 $67
25th Percentile $130,700 $10,892 $2,513 $63
Check out Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead Job Openings in the United States
Lead Engineer

Noblis - WASHINGTON, DC

Lead Engineer

Noblis - WASHINGTON, DC

Lead Engineer

Alutiiq, LLC - WASHINGTON, DC

Lead Engineer

TekSynap - ARLINGTON, VA

Search More Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead Salaries

An 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 Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an 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:

  • Intermediate Engineer (2-4 years): $92,146
  • Senior Engineer (4-7 years): $110,765
  • Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead (7+ years): $140,138
  • Engineer - Expert/Consultant (7-10 years): $161,856
  • General Engineer VI (10-12 years): $187,063
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Engineer2-4 years$92,146
Senior Engineer4-7 years$110,765
Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead7+ years$140,138
Engineer - Expert/Consultant7-10 years$161,856
General Engineer VI10-12 years$187,063
$92,146 Intermedi...
$110,765 Senior En...
$140,138 Engineer ...
$161,856 Engineer ...
$187,063 General E...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $155,200.
  • California: $154,600.
  • Massachusetts: $152,600.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $176,800
  • San Francisco: $175,100
  • Oakland: $171,200

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.9% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AWS (Mentioned in 1.93% Job Postings): Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.37% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.9%
AWS 1.93%
Programming 1.37%
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 Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead's salary.
  • Oracle: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Docker: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Oracle
$155,622
11%
AWS
$151,416
8%
Docker
$150,014
7%
Insight
$150,014
7%
Python
$147,210
5%
Computer Science
$145,808
4%
Get Latest Data

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 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 Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead with a Bachelor's Degree is between $129,767 and $135,901).

Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 2.5%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 39.8%
Masters 40.9%
Doctorate 13.9%
view as graph

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

Understanding how an 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 February 01, 2026

Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead Salary Growth & Career Path

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

Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aviation Engineer V $162,900 16%
Aerospace Aviation Engineer V $161,860 15%
Engineer - Expert/Consultant $161,900 15%
GNC Engineer V $168,600 20%

Salary Trends for Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead

Salaries for an Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $136,598 in 2023 to around $133,796 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead salary trends, .

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

2022
$???
2023
$136,598
2024
$135,030
2025
$133,796
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $136,598
2024 $135,030
2025 $133,796
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for 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 Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead

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

Find Your Next Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead Job

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

1. Do project managers make 200k?

The best Project Manager jobs can pay up to $148,100 per year. Project managers coordinate tasks to complete a plan of action for their employer. Working on a team, the project manager oversees production from the planning stages through completion. Salaries typically range from $125,300 to $136,600, depending on experience and responsibilities.

2. What is the salary of a lead engineer?

The salary for a Lead Engineer ranges from $125,300 to $148,100, with an average (mid) salary of $136,600. This reflects the compensation structure for the role, indicating a competitive pay scale for experienced professionals in this field.

3. Is project specialist a good job?

A career as a Project Specialist can be quite rewarding, with a salary range from $125,300 to $148,100, depending on experience and expertise. This dynamic field offers numerous opportunities for professional development and advancement, making it an attractive option for those looking to grow in their careers.

4. Do engineers make 300k a year?

Engineers, particularly in specialist or project lead roles, typically earn between $125,300 and $148,100 annually. While some highly experienced professionals may approach higher salaries, the standard range does not reach $300,000. If you are a skilled engineer with a strong background, we encourage you to explore opportunities within this salary range.

5. How much does a lead engineer make vs senior engineer?

Lead engineers, specifically in specialist or project lead roles, earn between $125,300 and $148,100 annually, with a mid-salary of $136,600. In comparison, senior engineers typically earn between $82,000 and $144,000 annually. This highlights the higher earning potential for lead engineers in specialized positions.

6. Do project managers make 200k?

Project managers typically earn between $125,300 and $148,100 annually, with a mid-salary of $136,600. While some high-level positions may approach $200,000, the majority of project managers earn within this range, coordinating tasks to execute plans effectively for their employers.

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