Embedded Software Engineer Lead Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Embedded Software Engineer Lead in the United States is $150,037 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): $168,545
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,988 to $159,725
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $128,928

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): $188,376
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $119,203
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $149,324
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $179,974
  • Expert (over 8 years): $206,415
Levels Salary
Embedded ... Level Embedded Software Engineer Lead$188,376
Embedded ... Level Embedded Software Engineer Lead$119,203
Embedded ... Level Embedded Software Engineer Lead$149,324
Embedded ... Level Embedded Software Engineer Lead$179,974
Embedded ... Level Embedded Software Engineer Lead$206,415

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: $166,121.
  • California: $165,491.
  • Massachusetts: $163,285.

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: $189,242
  • San Francisco: $187,170
  • Oakland: $183,225

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.
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 $169,542
13%
Coaching $168,041
12%
Agility $168,041
12%

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$187,546$90.025%
Software & Networking$180,044$87.020%
Financial Services$172,543$83.015%
Energy & Utilities$165,041$79.010%
Chemicals$157,539$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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$138,988
Average $150,037/year
$159,725
$11,582
Average $12,503/month
$13,310
$2,673
Average $2,885/week
$3,072
$67
Average $72/hour
$77
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $159,725 $13,310 $3,072 $77
Average $150,037 $12,503 $2,885 $72
25th Percentile $138,988 $11,582 $2,673 $67

Most common benefits for Embedded Software Engineer Lead

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

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.

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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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