As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Lead Packaging Engineer in Reston, VA is $175,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $85.
However, an Lead Packaging Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Lead Packaging Engineer'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, skills, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Lead Packaging Engineer'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging Development Engineer III | 4-7 years | $113,780 |
| Packaging Development Engineer IV | 7+ years | $140,235 |
| Lead Packaging Engineer | 7-10 years | $175,897 |
| Packaging R&D Engineering Manager | 10+ years | $150,127 |
| Packaging Development Engineering Senior Manager | 10+ years | $191,159 |
What Am I Worth?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Project Management | 2.34% |
| Product Development | 1.3% |
| Lean | 0.78% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Verbal Communication
|
$246,260 |
40%
|
|
Research and Development
|
$209,321 |
19%
|
|
Coordination
|
$200,526 |
14%
|
|
Process Improvement
|
$193,490 |
10%
|
|
Teamwork
|
$189,972 |
8%
|
|
Integrity
|
$188,213 |
7%
|
Lead Packaging Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $196,910. While startup companies pay approximate $166,581.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $166,581 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $176,179 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $190,151 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $196,910 |
For Lead Packaging Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 5% above the average. In contrast, Lead Packaging Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Packaging Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $184,695 | $89.0 | 5% |
| Biotechnology | $184,695 | $89.0 | 5% |
| Business Services | $184,695 | $89.0 | 5% |
| Chemicals | $184,695 | $89.0 | 5% |
| Construction | $184,695 | $89.0 | 5% |
Understanding how an Lead Packaging Engineer'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 August 01, 2026For an Lead Packaging Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Packaging R&D Engineering Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $150,200 - a projected growth of -15% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Packaging Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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