As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Reliability Engineer in South Carolina is $151,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.
However, a Lead Reliability Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Lead Reliability 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Reliability 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Failure Analysis Engineer III | 4-7 years | $105,448 |
| Failure Analysis Engineer IV | 7+ years | $128,387 |
| Lead Reliability Engineer | 7-10 years | $151,481 |
| Product Reliability Engineering Supervisor | 10+ years | $117,412 |
| Product Reliability Engineering Senior Manager | 10+ years | $139,318 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Lead Reliability Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Lead Reliability Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $169,584. While startup companies pay approximate $143,464.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $143,464 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $151,731 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $163,764 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $169,584 |
For Lead Reliability Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Lead Reliability Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Reliability Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $189,362 | $91.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $181,788 | $87.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $181,788 | $87.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $181,788 | $87.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $174,214 | $84.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Lead Reliability 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 a Lead Reliability Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Product Reliability Engineering Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $117,500 - a projected growth of -22% over your current level.
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