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Embedded Software Engineer Lead Salary in the United States

How much does an Embedded Software Engineer Lead make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Embedded Software Engineer Lead in the United States is $150,040 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

However, an Embedded Software Engineer Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $168,514
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,989 to $159,710
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $128,928
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $138,989 10% $128,928 90% $168,514 75% $159,710 $150,040 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Embedded Software Engineer Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $159,710 $13,309 $3,071 $77
Average $150,040 $12,503 $2,885 $72
25th Percentile $138,989 $11,582 $2,673 $67
Check out Embedded Software Engineer Lead Job Openings in the United States
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Lead Robotics Software Engineer - Architecture and Systems

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Key Factors That Influence Embedded Software Engineer Lead Salaries

An Embedded Software Engineer 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Embedded Software Engineer Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Embedded Software Engineer 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): $188,389
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $119,227
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $149,329
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $179,974
  • Expert (over 8 years): $206,410
Levels Salary
Embedded ... Level Embedded Software Engineer Lead$188,389
Embedded ... Level Embedded Software Engineer Lead$119,227
Embedded ... Level Embedded Software Engineer Lead$149,329
Embedded ... Level Embedded Software Engineer Lead$179,974
Embedded ... Level Embedded Software Engineer Lead$206,410
$188,389 0 yr
$119,227 < 2 yrs
$149,329 2-4 yrs
$179,974 5-8 yrs
$206,410 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Embedded Software Engineer 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 Embedded Software Engineer Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $166,124.
  • California: $165,494.
  • Massachusetts: $163,289.

Top Paying Cities for Embedded Software Engineer 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: $189,245
  • San Francisco: $187,173
  • Oakland: $183,229

What Skills Can Increase an Embedded Software Engineer Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.33% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Product Development (Mentioned in 3.17% Job Postings): Overseeing the creation of new products or improvement of the performance, cost, or quality of existing products to achieve business goals.
  • Linux (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.33%
Product Development 3.17%
Linux 1.81%
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 an Embedded Software Engineer Lead's salary.
  • Empowerment: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Agility: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Empowerment
 $169,545
13%
Coaching
 $168,045
12%
Agility
 $168,045
12%
Career Development
 $165,044
10%
Self-Directed
 $163,544
9%
AWS
 $163,544
9%
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Embedded Software Engineer Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Embedded Software Engineer Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Embedded Software Engineer Lead positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Embedded Software Engineer Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Embedded Software Engineer Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$187,550$90.025%
Software & Networking$180,048$87.020%
Financial Services$172,546$83.015%
Energy & Utilities$165,044$79.010%
Chemicals$157,542$76.05%

Embedded Software Engineer Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Embedded Software Engineer 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 August 01, 2026
$138,989
Average $150,040/year
$159,710
$11,582
Average $12,503/month
$13,309
$2,673
Average $2,885/week
$3,071
$67
Average $72/hour
$77
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $159,710 $13,309 $3,071 $77
Average $150,040 $12,503 $2,885 $72
25th Percentile $138,989 $11,582 $2,673 $67

Salaries of jobs related to Embedded Software Engineer Lead

Salary Trends for Embedded Software Engineer Lead

Salaries for an Embedded Software Engineer Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $140,620 in 2023 to around $139,109 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Embedded Software Engineer Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Embedded Software Engineer Lead Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$140,620
2024
$140,846
2025
$139,109
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $140,620
2024 $140,846
2025 $139,109
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Embedded Software Engineer Lead

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Embedded Software Engineer Lead

Here are companies hiring for Embedded Software Engineer Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Embedded Software Engineer Lead Job

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

United States

  • Chase

    Columbus, OH

    Mainframe Lead Software Engineer

    Chase | Columbus, OH

    Lead Software EngineerWe have an opportunity to impact your career and provide an adventure where you can push the limits of what's possible.As a Lead Soft... more

    4 Days Ago

  • VTekis Consulting LLP

    Columbus, OH

    Lead Software Engineer

    VTekis Consulting LLP | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. We provide Recruitment and Staffing services to many industries and domain through our innovative an... more

    7 Days Ago

  • NIBE Element North America

    Columbus, OH

    Embedded Systems Engineer

    NIBE Element North America | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Embedded Systems Engineer. Reports To. Research & Development Engineering Manager. Department. Engineering R&D... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Liberty Information Technology Limited

    Columbus, OH

    Software Engineer

    Liberty Information Technology Limited | Columbus, OH

    Job IntroductionWe deliver our customers peace of mind every day by helping them protect what they value most. Our passion for placing the customer at the ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Loop

    Columbus, OH

    Software Engineer

    Loop | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. Loop is looking for a full-stack. Software Engineer. to contribute directly to the design, development, a... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Impact.com

    Columbus, OH

    Software Engineer

    Impact.com | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. The Company. impact.com is the world's leading commerce partnership marketing platform, transforming the way businesses g... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Embedded Software Engineer Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Embedded Software Engineer Lead?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Embedded Software Engineer Lead roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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.)

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