As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Development Engineer in the United States is $106,910 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.
However, a Lead Development Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Lead Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $116,400 | $9,700 | $2,238 | $56 |
| Average | $106,910 | $8,909 | $2,056 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,012 | $7,918 | $1,827 | $46 |
A Lead Development 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 Development 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 |
|---|---|
| Cloud Arc... Level Lead Development Engineer | $81,666 |
| Lead Deve... Level Lead Development Engineer | $107,737 |
| Cloud Arc... Level Lead Development Engineer | $122,888 |
| Cloud Arc... Level Lead Development Engineer | $148,005 |
| Cloud Arc... Level Lead Development Engineer | $168,774 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 3.11% |
| Linux | 2.52% |
| Java | 1.55% |
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 Development Engineer's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Analysis | $114,394 | |
| Team Development | $114,394 | |
| Software Development | $113,325 |
Understanding how a Lead Development 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $116,400 | $9,700 | $2,238 | $56 |
| Average | $106,910 | $8,909 | $2,056 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,012 | $7,918 | $1,827 | $46 |
Salaries for a Lead Development Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $115,482 in 2023 to around $115,843 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Development Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $115,482 |
| 2024 | $117,253 |
| 2025 | $115,843 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Development Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
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