Lead Development Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Development Engineer make in the United States?

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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,040
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,012 to $116,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $84,179
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Key Factors That Influence Lead Development Engineer Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Lead Development Engineer Salaries?

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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $81,666
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $107,737
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $122,888
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $148,005
  • Expert (over 8 years): $168,774
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

How Do Lead Development Engineer 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 Development Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $118,371.
  • California: $117,922.
  • Massachusetts: $116,350.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Development Engineers

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: $134,846
  • San Francisco: $133,369
  • Oakland: $130,558

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Development Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 3.11% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Linux (Mentioned in 2.52% Job Postings): Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
  • Java (Mentioned in 1.55% Job Postings): Using Java in the development and maintenance of application programs and systems.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 3.11%
Linux 2.52%
Java 1.55%

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 Development Engineer's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Software Development: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $114,394
7%
Team Development $114,394
7%
Software Development $113,325
6%

Lead Development Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Development Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Lead Development Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Development Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Development Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$128,292$62.020%
Energy & Utilities$122,946$59.015%
Software & Networking$122,946$59.015%
Biotechnology$117,601$57.010%
Internet$117,601$57.010%

Lead Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on November 01, 2026
$95,012
Average $106,910/year
$116,400
$7,918
Average $8,909/month
$9,700
$1,827
Average $2,056/week
$2,238
$46
Average $51/hour
$56
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

Most common benefits for Lead Development Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Lead Development Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Lead Development Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Lead Development Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Development Engineer?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Development Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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