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Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer in the United States is $125,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,610
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,800 to $133,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $110,425
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View as table View as graph 25% $117,800 10% $110,425 90% $140,610 75% $133,600 $125,900 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $133,600 $11,133 $2,569 $64
Average $125,900 $10,492 $2,421 $61
25th Percentile $117,800 $9,817 $2,265 $57
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Key Factors That Influence Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salaries

A Specialist/Lead Manufacturing 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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing 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:

  • Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer (2-4 years): $89,630
  • Senior Manufacturing Engineer (4-7 years): $103,176
  • Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer (7+ years): $125,861
  • Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer (7-10 years): $144,595
  • Production Process Engineer VI (10-12 years): $171,867
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer2-4 years$89,630
Senior Manufacturing Engineer4-7 years$103,176
Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer7+ years$125,861
Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer7-10 years$144,595
Production Process Engineer VI10-12 years$171,867
$89,630 Intermedi...
$103,176 Senior Ma...
$125,861 Specialis...
$144,595 Principal...
$171,867 Productio...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineers

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: $158,800
  • San Francisco: $157,100
  • Oakland: $153,800

What Skills Can Increase a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.46% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Mechanical Engineering (Mentioned in 2.5% Job Postings): Mechanical engineering is the discipline that applies engineering, physics, engineering mathematics, and materials science principles to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines. The mechanical engineering field requires an understanding of core areas including mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity. In addition to these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product life cycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, transport systems, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices, weapons, and others. It is the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery.
  • Cost Reduction (Mentioned in 1.8% Job Postings): Cost reduction is the process used by companies to reduce their costs and increase their profits. Depending on a company’s services or product, the strategies can vary. Every decision in the product development process affects cost. Companies typically launch a new product without focusing too much on cost. Cost becomes more important when competition increases and price becomes a differentiator in the market.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.46%
Mechanical Engineering 2.5%
Cost Reduction 1.8%
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 Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer's salary.
  • Quality Management: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Product Design: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Quality Management
$143,526
14%
Product Development
$143,526
14%
Product Design
$141,008
12%
Analysis
$141,008
12%
Innovation
$141,008
12%
ISO
$139,749
11%
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Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $141,474. While startup companies pay approximate $119,770.

Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$119,770
Growth Stage51~500$126,642
Established501~5000$136,643
Enterprise5000+$141,474

Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer positions in Telecom or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$163,670$79.030%
Software & Networking$163,670$79.030%
Chemicals$151,080$73.020%
Pharmaceuticals$151,080$73.020%
Aerospace & Defense$138,490$67.010%

How Education impacts a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineers enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer with a No Diploma is between $130,091 and $136,500).

Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 100.0%
High School 0.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 100.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing 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, 2026

Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer, 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.

Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Biologics Manufacturing Engineer V $155,500 24%
Manufacturing Execution System Supervisor $124,100 -1%
Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer $144,600 15%
Engineer, Lead/Master - Production $144,600 15%

Salary Trends for Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Salaries for a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $120,449 in 2023 to around $118,578 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$120,449
2024
$120,395
2025
$118,578
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $120,449
2024 $120,395
2025 $118,578
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer

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

Find Your Next Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full Bene... more

    12 Days Ago

  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    14 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    17 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    17 Days Ago

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FAQ about Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Which engineering is highest in demand in USA?

Based on current trends, software engineering remains the most in-demand field in the USA, particularly with the rise of AI and machine learning. Additionally, roles like Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer are also crucial, with salaries ranging from $126,900 to $149,900, reflecting the growing need for expertise in manufacturing processes and technologies.

3. What is the highest engineer salary in USA?

The highest salary for a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer in the USA ranges from $126,900 to $149,900, with a median salary of $138,200. This positions them competitively among other engineering roles, such as Petroleum Engineers, who earn a median of $137,322.

4. Can you make 500k as an engineer?

Yes, while it's possible for some engineers to earn high salaries, the typical range for a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer is between $126,900 and $149,900. Achieving a salary of $500,000 would generally require exceptional circumstances, such as significant equity in a high-growth company or a senior leadership role in a large organization.

5. What engineers make 200k a year?

Engineers making around $200k a year typically include specialized roles such as Lead Manufacturing Engineers. According to salary data, the range for a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer is between $126,900 and $149,900, with a mid-salary of $138,200. While some engineering positions may exceed this range, they often require advanced skills or experience.

6. Which engineering is best for a high salary?

For a high salary in engineering, consider becoming a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer, with salaries ranging from $126,900 to $149,900, and a midpoint of $138,200. Other lucrative fields include Petroleum, Aerospace, and Chemical Engineering, but the manufacturing sector offers competitive compensation and growth opportunities.

7. What is the highest salary for a Manufacturing Engineer?

The highest salary for a Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer is $149,900 annually. The salary range for this position starts at a minimum of $126,900, with a midpoint of $138,200, reflecting the competitive compensation in the field.

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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