As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Senior Lead Software Engineer in the US is $126,018, equivalent to $61 per hour, $2,423 weekly, or $10,502 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Senior Lead Software Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Senior Lead Software Engineer in the US vary widely, spanning from $109,421 to $142,602. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($117,330) and 75th percentile ($134,699), while top earners (90th percentile) make $142,602 per year. This $17,369 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Open Source, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Senior Lead Software Engineer often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 71 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Senior Lead Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Senior Lead Software Engineer Salary $109,421 US January 01, 2026
25th Percentile Senior Lead Software Engineer Salary $117,330 US January 01, 2026
50th Percentile Senior Lead Software Engineer Salary $126,018 US January 01, 2026
75th Percentile Senior Lead Software Engineer Salary $134,699 US January 01, 2026
90th Percentile Senior Lead Software Engineer Salary $142,602 US January 01, 2026
25% $117,330 10% $109,421 90% $142,602 75% $134,699 $126,018 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is A Senior Lead Software Engineer ?

The Senior Lead Software Engineer is responsible for overseeing the design, development, and implementation of software solutions. This role involves leading a team of engineers, ensuring adherence to best practices, and driving the technical direction of projects. Key responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, mentoring junior engineers, and conducting code reviews to maintain high-quality standards. The position requires proficiency in multiple programming languages, strong problem-solving skills, and experience with software development method...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

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Job Openings for Senior Lead Software Engineer

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Software Engineer III

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    Senior Lead Software Engineer

    7 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Software Engineer V

    10 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

Understand the total compensation opportunity for A Senior Lead Software Engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
117330
134699
126018

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
129668
159122
143382
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Senior Lead Software Engineer in the United States. The base salary for Senior Lead Software Engineer ranges from $117,330 to $134,699 with the average base salary of $126,018. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $129,668 to $159,122 with the average total cash compensation of $143,382.

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117330
134699

 

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