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Lead Java Designer/Developer Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Java Designer/Developer in the United States is $150,940 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): $176,248
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,646 to $164,187
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $127,453
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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): $72,794
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $101,751
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,274
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $138,092
  • Expert (over 8 years): $149,966
Levels Salary
Web Softw... Level Lead Java Designer/Developer$72,794
Web Softw... Level Lead Java Designer/Developer$101,751
Web Softw... Level Lead Java Designer/Developer$117,274
Web Softw... Level Lead Java Designer/Developer$138,092
Lead Java... Level Lead Java Designer/Developer$149,966
View as Graph

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: $167,121.
  • California: $166,487.
  • Massachusetts: $164,268.

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: $190,381
  • San Francisco: $188,296
  • Oakland: $184,328

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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 12.72%
PHP 5.27%
Interactive Design 1.97%
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 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 $163,015
8%
Web Services $159,996
6%
People Management $158,487
5%
Get Latest Data

Lead Java Designer/Developer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Java Designer/Developer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Lead Java Designer/Developer positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Java Designer/Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Lead Java Designer/Developer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$181,128$87.020%

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 September 01, 2026
$138,646
Average $150,940/year
$164,187
$11,554
Average $12,578/month
$13,682
$2,666
Average $2,903/week
$3,157
$67
Average $73/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $164,187 $13,682 $3,157 $79
Average $150,940 $12,578 $2,903 $73
25th Percentile $138,646 $11,554 $2,666 $67

Most common benefits for Lead Java Designer/Developer

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

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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FAQ about Lead Java Designer/Developer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Java Designer/Developer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Java Designer/Developer roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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