Lead Java Designer/Developer Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Java Designer/Developer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Java Designer/Developer in the United States is $150,851 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

However, a Lead Java Designer/Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $175,744
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,463 to $163,881
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $127,184
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View as table View as graph 25% $138,463 10% $127,184 90% $175,744 75% $163,881 $150,851 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lead Java Designer/Developer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $163,881 $13,657 $3,152 $79
Average $150,851 $12,571 $2,901 $73
25th Percentile $138,463 $11,539 $2,663 $67
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Key Factors That Influence Lead Java Designer/Developer Salaries

A Lead Java Designer/Developer'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 Lead Java Designer/Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Java Designer/Developer'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): $145,208
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $145,770
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $147,644
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $149,893
  • Expert (over 8 years): $153,150
Levels Salary
Entry Level Lead Java Designer/Developer$145,208
Intermediate Level Lead Java Designer/Developer$145,770
Senior Level Lead Java Designer/Developer$147,644
Specialist Level Lead Java Designer/Developer$149,893
Expert Level Lead Java Designer/Developer$153,150
$145,208 0 yr
$145,770 < 2 yrs
$147,644 2-4 yrs
$149,893 5-8 yrs
$153,150 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Lead Java Designer/Developer 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 Java Designer/Developers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $167,022.
  • California: $166,389.
  • Massachusetts: $164,171.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Java Designer/Developers

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: $190,268
  • San Francisco: $188,398
  • Oakland: $184,219

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Java Designer/Developer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 12.72% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • PHP (Mentioned in 5.27% Job Postings): PHP is a general-purpose scripting language geared toward web development. It was originally created by Danish-Canadian programmer Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994.
  • Interactive Design (Mentioned in 1.97% Job Postings): Interactive design is a user-oriented field of study that focuses on meaningful communication using media to create products through cyclical and collaborative processes between people and technology.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 12.72%
PHP 5.27%
Interactive Design 1.97%
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 Java Designer/Developer's salary.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Web Services: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • People Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management
$162,919
8%
Web Services
$159,902
6%
People Management
$158,394
5%
Leadership
$155,377
3%
Communication Skills
$155,377
3%
Interactive Design
$153,868
2%
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Lead Java Designer/Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Java Designer/Developer'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Lead Java Designer/Developer

Salaries for a Lead Java Designer/Developer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $139,174 in 2023 to around $138,333 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Java Designer/Developer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Lead Java Designer/Developer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$139,174
2024
$139,480
2025
$138,333
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $139,174
2024 $139,480
2025 $138,333
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Lead Java Designer/Developer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Lead Java Designer/Developer

Here are companies hiring for Lead Java Designer/Developer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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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