As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Dev Lead in the United States is $138,212 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.
However, a Dev Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Dev 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Dev 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Reliabili... Level Dev Lead | $94,608 |
| Reliabili... Level Dev Lead | $114,079 |
| Dev Lead Level Dev Lead | $138,888 |
| Reliabili... Level Dev Lead | $163,887 |
| Reliabili... Level Dev Lead | $127,023 |
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 Dev Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 23.49% |
| Preventative Maintenance | 2.11% |
| Product Quality | 1.51% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Teamwork
|
$171,383 |
24%
|
|
Systems Engineering
|
$170,001 |
23%
|
|
Time Management
|
$160,326 |
16%
|
|
Python
|
$152,033 |
10%
|
|
Verbal Communication
|
$152,033 |
10%
|
|
Scheduling
|
$152,033 |
10%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Dev Leads enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Dev Lead with a Associate's Degree is between $135,619 and $141,130).
Dev Lead Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.8% |
| High School | 39.3% |
| Associates | 1.8% |
| Bachelors | 39.3% |
| Masters | 44.6% |
| Doctorate | 14.3% |
Understanding how a Dev 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 March 01, 2026Salaries for a Dev Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $140,317 in 2023 to around $137,539 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Dev Lead salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $140,317 |
| 2024 | $140,195 |
| 2025 | $137,539 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Dev Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.
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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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