upper level job

Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead Salary in the United States

What is the salary range of an Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead?

As of November 01, 2025, the average salary for an Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead in the United States is $138,440 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

However, an Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $153,609
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $129,860 to $146,380
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,048
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
Smart Recruiting
Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits
Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $129,860 10% $122,048 90% $153,609 75% $146,380 $138,440 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $146,380 $12,198 $2,815 $70
Average $138,440 $11,537 $2,662 $67
25th Percentile $129,860 $10,822 $2,497 $62
Check out Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead Job Openings in the United States
Project Manager Estimator

Resource Development Company - SPARKS, NV

Grid Systems Project Manager

Brooksource - CHARLOTTE, NC

Project Systems Integrator

Convirgence - HERNDON, VA

Project Systems Integrator

Q-Code Technologies LLC - DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRP, DC

Search More Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead Jobs in the United States
Choose Similar Job
Choose Category
Cost of Living
Hourly Wages
See it in Action

Key Factors That Influence Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead Salaries

An Operating Systems Programmer 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 Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Operating Systems Programmer 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $134,679
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $135,215
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $135,751
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $137,680
  • Expert (over 8 years): $141,807
Levels Salary
Entry Level Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead $134,679
Intermediate Level Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead $135,215
Senior Level Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead $135,751
Specialist Level Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead $137,680
Expert Level Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead $141,807
$134,679 0 yr
$135,215 < 2 yrs
$135,751 2-4 yrs
$137,680 5-8 yrs
$141,807 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Operating Systems Programmer 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 Operating Systems Programmer Project Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • California: $152,700.
  • Massachusetts: $150,660.
  • New Jersey: $150,050

How Education impacts an Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Operating Systems Programmer Project Leads enter the field with a Associate'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 Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead with a Associate's Degree is between $129,475 and $136,411.

Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
High School 12.5%
Associates 8.3%
Bachelors 37.5%
Masters 29.2%
Doctorate 12.5%
view as graph

Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Operating Systems Programmer 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 November 01, 2025
$129,860
Average $138,440/year
$146,380
$10,822
Average $11,537/month
$12,198
$2,497
Average $2,662/week
$2,815
$62
Average $67/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $146,380 $12,198 $2,815 $70
Average $138,440 $11,537 $2,662 $67
25th Percentile $129,860 $10,822 $2,497 $62

Salaries of jobs related to Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead

Salary Trends for Operating Systems Programmer Project Leads

Salaries for an Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $130,793 in 2023 to around $130,053 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$130,793
2024
$131,279
2025
$130,053
2026
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $130,793
2024 $131,279
2025 $130,053
2026
View More

Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead bonus and incentive rates

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Base Salary 68.9%
Bonuses 4.0%
Social Security 5.6%
401k/403b 3.1%
Disability 1.5%
Healthcare 4.2%
Pension 3.9%
Time Off 9.0%
Employers: Find Surveys For This Job
Core Compensation
Median % of Total
Base Salary $138,440 68.9%
Bonus $8,030 4.0%
Value of Benefits
Median % of Total
Social Security $11,205 5.6%
401K/403B $6,152 3.1%
Disability $2,929 1.5%
Healthcare $8,352 4.2%
Pension $7,909 3.9%
Time Off $18,027 9.0%
Total Compensation $201,045 100%
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
Employers: Price Your Company Jobs

Most common benefits for Operating Systems Programmer 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 Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead

Here are companies hiring for Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Operating Systems Programmer 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 Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead

1. What is the average salary in the US for an Operations Manager?

The average salary for an Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead in the US ranges from $124,040 to $149,240, with a midpoint of $136,830. This reflects the competitive nature of the role, highlighting the importance of expertise in operating systems and programming leadership.

2. What is the salary of operating system engineer?

The estimated total pay for an Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead ranges from $124,040 to $149,240 annually, with a median salary of $136,830. These figures reflect the midpoint of the salary range based on collected data, providing a comprehensive overview of compensation in this role.

3. What is operation lead job?

The Operations Lead is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing operations processes and systems to ensure high efficiency and customer satisfaction. This role demands excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to lead a team. The salary for this position ranges from $124,040 to $149,240, with a midpoint of $136,830.

4. What is the salary of operating system developer?

The salary for an Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead ranges from ₹12.4 lakhs to ₹14.9 lakhs, with an average salary of ₹13.7 lakhs. This reflects the compensation for professionals in this role, highlighting the potential earnings based on experience and expertise in operating systems.

5. How much does a software project lead make in Germany?

The salary for an Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead in Germany ranges from €124,040 to €149,240 annually, with a midpoint of €136,830. This is significantly higher than the average gross salary for IT project managers, which typically falls between €65,000 and €80,000 per year.

6. How much does a software project leader earn?

A software project leader earns between $124,040 and $149,240 annually, with a mid-salary of $136,830. This range reflects the compensation for roles similar to an Operating Systems Programmer Project Lead, considering experience levels from 5 to 15 years. Salary estimates are based on industry data.

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