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Hardware Engineer - Project Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead in the United States is $138,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $152,454
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $130,290 to $145,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,460
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View as table View as graph 25% $130,290 10% $122,460 90% $152,454 75% $145,990 $138,890 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Hardware Engineer - Project Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $145,990 $12,166 $2,808 $70
Average $138,890 $11,574 $2,671 $67
25th Percentile $130,290 $10,858 $2,506 $63
Check out Hardware Engineer - Project Lead Job Openings in the United States
Project Engineer

Ruscilli Construction - Columbus, OH

Project Engineer

Highland Consulting Group - Lima, OH

Mechanical Project Engineer

Integrity Technical Services - Wadsworth, OH

Project Engineer

Integrity Technical Services - Canton, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Hardware Engineer - Project Lead Salaries

A Hardware Engineer - 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 Hardware Engineer - Project Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hardware Engineer - 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:

  • Hardware Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $98,553
  • Hardware Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $114,277
  • Hardware Engineer - Project Lead (7+ years): $138,802
  • Hardware Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,864
  • Hardware Development Engineer VI (10-12 years): $195,826
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Design Engineer II2-4 years$98,553
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$114,277
Hardware Engineer - Project Lead7+ years$138,802
Hardware Design Engineer V7-10 years$163,864
Hardware Development Engineer VI10-12 years$195,826
$98,553 Hardware ...
$114,277 Hardware ...
$138,802 Hardware ...
$163,864 Hardware ...
$195,826 Hardware ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Hardware Engineer - 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: $175,090
  • San Francisco: $173,390
  • Oakland: $169,590

What Skills Can Increase a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.46% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Circuit Design (Mentioned in 3.83% Job Postings): The process of circuit design can cover systems ranging from complex electronic systems all the way down to the individual transistors within an integrated circuit. For simple circuits the design process can often be done by one person without needing a planned or structured design process, but for more complex designs, teams of designers following a systematic approach with intelligently guided computer simulation are becoming increasingly common. In integrated circuit design automation, the term "circuit design" often refers to the step of the design cycle which outputs the schematics of the integrated circuit. Typically this is the step between logic design and physical design.
  • Hardware Development (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): Hardware development is a complex effort that includes the creation and optimization of electronics and mechanical system elements that perform various computational processes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.46%
Circuit Design 3.83%
Hardware Development 2.22%
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 a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead's salary.
  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Product Design: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Semiconductors
 $162,501
17%
Python
 $159,724
15%
Product Design
 $158,335
14%
Integrity
 $154,168
11%
System Design
 $152,779
10%
PCB Design
 $152,779
10%
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How Education impacts a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware Engineer - Project Leads enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $136,375 and $142,818).

Hardware Engineer - Project Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware Engineer - Project Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 2.9%
Associates 2.9%
Bachelors 36.2%
Masters 46.7%
Doctorate 13.3%
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Hardware Engineer - Project Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hardware Engineer - 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 April 01, 2026
$130,290
Average $138,890/year
$145,990
$10,858
Average $11,574/month
$12,166
$2,506
Average $2,671/week
$2,808
$63
Average $67/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $145,990 $12,166 $2,808 $70
Average $138,890 $11,574 $2,671 $67
25th Percentile $130,290 $10,858 $2,506 $63

Hardware Engineer - Project Lead Salary Growth & Career Path

Hardware Engineer - Project Lead
Hardware Design Engineer V
Hardware Design Engineering Director

For a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hardware Design Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $163,900 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Hardware Engineer - Project Lead

Salary Trends for Hardware Engineer - Project Lead

Salaries for a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $134,624 in 2023 to around $132,866 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Hardware Engineer - Project Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Hardware Engineer - Project Lead Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$134,624
2024
$134,304
2025
$132,866
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $134,624
2024 $134,304
2025 $132,866
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Hardware Engineer - Project Lead

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Hardware Engineer - Project Lead

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

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FAQ about Hardware Engineer - Project Lead

1. Do hardware engineers make good money?

Yes, hardware engineers can earn a competitive salary. The minimum salary for a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead is approximately $132,190, with a mid-range salary of around $143,690, and the maximum salary reaching about $154,890. This range reflects the value and expertise that hardware engineers bring to their projects.

2. What is the highest salary for a Project Engineer?

The highest salary for a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead is $154,890. The salary range typically spans from a minimum of $132,190 to a mid-level of $143,690, reflecting the competitive nature of this role in the industry.

3. How much does a project engineer earn in USA?

As of November 2024, a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead in the United States earns an average salary ranging from $132,190 to $154,890 per year. The midpoint salary is approximately $143,690, reflecting the competitive compensation for this role in the industry.

4. Do engineers make 500k a year?

Engineers, specifically Hardware Engineer - Project Leads, typically earn between $132,190 and $154,890 annually, with a mid-salary of $143,690. This is significantly lower than $500,000 a year. While some specialized roles or high-level positions may approach that figure, it is not common for most engineers.

5. How much do engineering leads make in the US?

The estimated total pay for a Hardware Engineer - Project Lead in the US ranges from $132,190 to $154,890 per year, with a mid-salary of $143,690. These figures reflect the typical salary range for this role, based on collected data.

6. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineers in the USA are typically Hardware Engineers, particularly in Project Lead roles. Their salary ranges from a minimum of $132,190 to a maximum of $154,890, with a mid-salary of $143,690. This positions them competitively against other engineering disciplines, such as Computer and IT Engineering.

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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