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Data Engineering Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Data Engineering Lead make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Engineering Lead in the United States is $122,066 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

However, a Data Engineering Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $142,282
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,088 to $132,648
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $103,004
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Data Engineering Lead Salaries

A Data Engineering Lead'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 Data Engineering Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data Engineering Lead'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): $74,628
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $100,842
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $122,759
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $140,969
  • Expert (over 8 years): $164,500
Levels Salary
Database ... Level Data Engineering Lead$74,628
Database ... Level Data Engineering Lead$100,842
Data Engi... Level Data Engineering Lead$122,759
Database ... Level Data Engineering Lead$140,969
Database ... Level Data Engineering Lead$164,500
View as Graph

How Do Data Engineering Lead 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 Data Engineering Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $135,151.
  • California: $134,639.
  • Massachusetts: $132,844.

Top Paying Cities for Data Engineering Leads

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: $153,962
  • San Francisco: $152,276
  • Oakland: $149,067

What Skills Can Increase a Data Engineering Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.44% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 3.75% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 2.1% Job Postings): Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.44%
Computer Science 3.75%
Agile 2.1%
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 Data Engineering Lead's salary.

  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Machine Learning $124,507
2%
Innovation $124,507
2%
Products and Services $124,507
2%
Get Latest Data

Data Engineering Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Engineering Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Data Engineering Lead positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Engineering Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Data Engineering Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$170,892$82.040%
Construction$164,789$79.035%
MFG Nondurable$158,686$76.030%
Aerospace & Defense$152,582$73.025%
Media$146,479$70.020%

Data Engineering Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Data Engineering Lead'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
$112,088
Average $122,066/year
$132,648
$9,341
Average $10,172/month
$11,054
$2,156
Average $2,347/week
$2,551
$54
Average $59/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $132,648 $11,054 $2,551 $64
Average $122,066 $10,172 $2,347 $59
25th Percentile $112,088 $9,341 $2,156 $54

Most common benefits for Data Engineering Lead

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

Common company salaries for Data Engineering Lead

Here are companies hiring for Data Engineering Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Data Engineering Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Data Engineering Lead?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Engineering Lead roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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