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Lead Engineer, Test Automation Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Engineer, Test Automation make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Engineer, Test Automation in the United States is $111,913 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,729
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $102,209 to $122,809
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $93,374
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lead Engineer, Test Automation Salaries

A Lead Engineer, Test Automation'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 Lead Engineer, Test Automation Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Engineer, Test Automation'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): $76,890
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $94,853
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,111
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $124,177
  • Expert (over 8 years): $152,287
Levels Salary
Industria... Level Lead Engineer, Test Automation$76,890
Industria... Level Lead Engineer, Test Automation$94,853
Lead Engi... Level Lead Engineer, Test Automation$111,111
Industria... Level Lead Engineer, Test Automation$124,177
Industria... Level Lead Engineer, Test Automation$152,287
View as Graph

How Do Lead Engineer, Test Automation 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 Lead Engineer, Test Automations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $123,910.
  • California: $123,440.
  • Massachusetts: $121,795.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Engineer, Test Automations

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: $141,156
  • San Francisco: $139,610
  • Oakland: $136,668

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Engineer, Test Automation's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.79% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Logistics (Mentioned in 1.98% Job Postings): In a general business sense, logistics is the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of customers or corporations.
  • Supply Chain (Mentioned in 1.55% Job Postings): A supply chain encompasses everything from the delivery of source materials from the supplier to the manufacturer through to its eventual delivery to the end user.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.79%
Logistics 1.98%
Supply Chain 1.55%
See More Skills

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 Lead Engineer, Test Automation's salary.

  • Azure: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Azure $120,866
8%
AWS $118,628
6%
Python $118,628
6%
Get Latest Data

Lead Engineer, Test Automation Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Engineer, Test Automation roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Lead Engineer, Test Automation positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Engineer, Test Automation as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Engineer, Test Automation

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$123,104$59.010%
Biotechnology$123,104$59.010%
Business Services$123,104$59.010%
Chemicals$123,104$59.010%
Energy & Utilities$123,104$59.010%

How Education impacts a Lead Engineer, Test Automation's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Engineer, Test Automations enter the field with a Bachelor'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 a Lead Engineer, Test Automation with a Bachelor's Degree is between $107,972 and $114,241).

Lead Engineer, Test Automation Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lead Engineer, Test Automation
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 0.4%
Associates 0.9%
Bachelors 44.4%
Masters 51.1%
Doctorate 3.1%
View as Graph

Lead Engineer, Test Automation Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Engineer, Test Automation'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 October 01, 2026
$102,209
Average $111,913/year
$122,809
$8,517
Average $9,326/month
$10,234
$1,966
Average $2,152/week
$2,362
$49
Average $54/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $122,809 $10,234 $2,362 $59
Average $111,913 $9,326 $2,152 $54
25th Percentile $102,209 $8,517 $1,966 $49

Most common benefits for Lead Engineer, Test Automation

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

Common company salaries for Lead Engineer, Test Automation

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

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FAQ about Lead Engineer, Test Automation

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Engineer, Test Automation?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Engineer, Test Automation roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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