As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Clinician in the United States is $122,203 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
However, a Lead Clinician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Lead Clinician'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Clinician'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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Lead Clinician | $117,961 |
| Intermediate Level Lead Clinician | $118,285 |
| Senior Level Lead Clinician | $119,581 |
| Specialist Level Lead Clinician | $121,525 |
| Expert Level Lead Clinician | $124,508 |
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 Clinicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 5.96% |
| Nursing Process | 4.04% |
| Quality Improvement | 2.09% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Service Excellence
|
$131,979 |
8%
|
|
Quality Improvement
|
$127,091 |
4%
|
|
Telemetry
|
$127,091 |
4%
|
|
Accountability
|
$125,869 |
3%
|
|
Clinical Practice
|
$125,869 |
3%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$125,869 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Clinicians enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lead Clinician with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,225 and $128,037).
Lead Clinician Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.4% |
| High School | 2.4% |
| Associates | 10.1% |
| Bachelors | 17.3% |
| Masters | 67.0% |
| Doctorate | 3.1% |
Understanding how a Lead Clinician'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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Lead Clinician can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $98,032 in 2023 to around $97,254 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Clinician salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $98,032 |
| 2024 | $97,743 |
| 2025 | $97,254 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Lead Clinician and their salaries, click below for more details.
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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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