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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Automation Engineer in South Carolina is $72,774 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a Lead Automation Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lead Automation Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $80,350 | $6,696 | $1,545 | $39 |
| Average | $72,774 | $6,065 | $1,400 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,914 | $5,576 | $1,287 | $32 |
JLL - North Tonawanda, NY, United States, SC
E Tech Group - Columbia, SC
eVAC Magnetics LLC - Sumter, SC
Koops, Inc. - Greenville, SC
A Lead Automation 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 Automation 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 |
|---|---|
| Industria... Level Lead Automation Engineer | $58,253 |
| Industria... Level Lead Automation Engineer | $64,489 |
| Lead Auto... Level Lead Automation Engineer | $72,217 |
| Industria... Level Lead Automation Engineer | $125,710 |
| Industria... Level Lead Automation Engineer | $149,390 |
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 Lead Automation Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Lead Automation Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Lead Automation Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Automation Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $90,968 | $44.0 | 25% |
| Insurance | $87,329 | $42.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $83,691 | $40.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $80,052 | $38.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $80,052 | $38.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Lead Automation 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 | $80,350 | $6,696 | $1,545 | $39 |
| Average | $72,774 | $6,065 | $1,400 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,914 | $5,576 | $1,287 | $32 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Automation Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Suominen Corporation
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Suominen Corporation | Bethune, SC
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Geodesicx Inc | North Charleston, SC
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Pure Power Technologies Inc
Blythewood, SC
Pure Power Technologies Inc | Blythewood, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Lead Manufacturing Engineer. The Lead Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for leading manufacturing engineering initiat... more
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International Staff Consulting
Charleston, SC
International Staff Consulting | Charleston, SC
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FindTalent
Fort Mill, SC
FindTalent | Fort Mill, SC
Job Description. Job Description. FindTalent is seeking a. Lead Protection & Control Engineer. to join our team onsite in South Carolina. This role will le... more
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