As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Sr. Software Engineer in the United States is $132,417 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.
However, a Lead Sr. Software Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Lead Sr. Software Engineer'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 Sr. Software Engineer'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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Lead Sr. Software Engineer | $126,693 |
| Intermediate Level Lead Sr. Software Engineer | $127,544 |
| Senior Level Lead Sr. Software Engineer | $129,247 |
| Specialist Level Lead Sr. Software Engineer | $133,281 |
| Expert Level Lead Sr. Software Engineer | $136,120 |
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 Sr. Software Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 3.76% |
| Programming | 3.79% |
| SQL | 2.54% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Microservices
|
$141,686 |
7%
|
|
Commitment
|
$139,038 |
5%
|
|
Kubernetes
|
$137,714 |
4%
|
|
Insight
|
$137,714 |
4%
|
|
Docker
|
$137,714 |
4%
|
|
Continuous Learning
|
$137,714 |
4%
|
Understanding how a Lead Sr. Software Engineer'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, 2026Salaries for a Lead Sr. Software Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $119,459 in 2023 to around $117,677 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Sr. Software Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $119,459 |
| 2024 | $119,048 |
| 2025 | $117,677 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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