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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Programmer in North Carolina is $156,096 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.
However, a Lead Programmer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lead Programmer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $171,744 | $14,312 | $3,303 | $83 |
| Average | $156,096 | $13,008 | $3,002 | $75 |
| 25th Percentile | $142,593 | $11,883 | $2,742 | $69 |
Logic Manufacturing, Inc. - Lake Park, NC
Logic Manufacturing, Inc. - LAKE PARK, NC
Gro HR - WACO, TX
Meta Tech Industries - HOUSTON, TX
A Lead Programmer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Programmer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Applicati... Level Lead Programmer | $113,750 |
| Applicati... Level Lead Programmer | $133,318 |
| Lead Prog... Level Lead Programmer | $154,946 |
| Applicati... Level Lead Programmer | $124,508 |
| Applicati... Level Lead Programmer | $140,922 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Programmers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Lead Programmer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 38% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Lead Programmer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Programmer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance | $187,316 | $90.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $184,194 | $89.0 | 18% |
| Biotechnology | $174,828 | $84.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $168,584 | $81.0 | 8% |
| Software & Networking | $165,462 | $80.0 | 6% |
Understanding how a Lead Programmer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $171,744 | $14,312 | $3,303 | $83 |
| Average | $156,096 | $13,008 | $3,002 | $75 |
| 25th Percentile | $142,593 | $11,883 | $2,742 | $69 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Programmer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Brixey & Meyer
DAYTON, OH
Brixey & Meyer | DAYTON, OH
Elliott Tool Technologies, a client of Brixey and Meyer, is seeking a CNC Programmer to join their team. Full-time | First Shift (7am–4pm or 8am–5pm) | Ons... more
6 Days Ago
CSL Behring
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA
CSL Behring | KING OF PRUSSIA, PA
CSL Behring seeks a Senior Programmer to build secure, scalable applications that power pharmaceutical R&D and data management. In this role, you will desi... more
6 Days Ago
Formidable Engineering Technologies Inc
LOS ANGELES, CA
Formidable Engineering Technologies Inc | LOS ANGELES, CA
Role Description This is a full-time, on-site role for a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist located in North Hollywood, CA. The CNC Machinist will ... more
3 Days Ago
DW Products
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
DW Products | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
At a Glance Company: DW Screw Machine Products Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Job Type: Full-Time Salary: $85,000–$90,000 per year (DOE) Schedule: 1st Shift ... more
6 Days Ago
Azon USA
PARCHMENT, MI
Azon USA | PARCHMENT, MI
At a glance Company: Azon USA, Inc. Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Pay: $28.00–$32.00/hr Job Type: Full-Time Shift: Day Shift Experience: 1 Years Machines: ... more
6 Days Ago
Rotating Machinery Services
CANASTOTA, NY
Rotating Machinery Services | CANASTOTA, NY
At a glance Company: Rotating Machinery Services Location: Canastota, New York 13032 Job type: Full-time, on-site Schedule: 40 hours per week Experience: 4... more
6 Days Ago
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