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Lead Backend Developer Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Backend Developer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Backend Developer in the United States is $111,916 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,683
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $102,772 to $119,122
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $94,447
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lead Backend Developer Salaries

A Lead Backend 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 Backend Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Backend 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): $69,230
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $90,261
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $112,552
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $138,117
  • Expert (over 8 years): $139,205
Levels Salary
Web Appli... Level Lead Backend Developer$69,230
Web Appli... Level Lead Backend Developer$90,261
Lead Back... Level Lead Backend Developer$112,552
Web Appli... Level Lead Backend Developer$138,117
Web Appli... Level Lead Backend Developer$139,205
View as Graph

How Do Lead Backend 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 Backend Developers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $123,913.
  • California: $123,443.
  • Massachusetts: $121,798.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Backend 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: $141,160
  • San Francisco: $139,614
  • Oakland: $136,672

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Backend Developer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Collaboration (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): Works cooperatively and shares ideas with coworkers and managers to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 3.59% 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.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 2.39% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 2.13%
Computer Science 3.59%
Programming 2.39%
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 Backend Developer's salary.

  • Entrepreneurship: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • UI: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Entrepreneurship $119,750
7%
Python $115,273
3%
UI $114,154
2%
Get Latest Data

Lead Backend Developer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Backend Developer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Lead Backend Developer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Backend Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Backend Developer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$128,703$62.015%
Software & Networking$125,346$60.012%
Energy & Utilities$123,108$59.010%
Internet$120,869$58.08%
Aerospace & Defense$117,512$56.05%

Lead Backend Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Backend 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
$102,772
Average $111,916/year
$119,122
$8,564
Average $9,326/month
$9,927
$1,976
Average $2,152/week
$2,291
$49
Average $54/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $119,122 $9,927 $2,291 $57
Average $111,916 $9,326 $2,152 $54
25th Percentile $102,772 $8,564 $1,976 $49

Most common benefits for Lead Backend Developer

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

Common company salaries for Lead Backend Developer

Here are companies hiring for Lead Backend Developer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Lead Backend Developer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Backend Developer?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Backend Developer roles, with salaries approximately 15% 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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