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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Design Engineer in Montana is $130,834 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Lead Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lead Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $141,846 | $11,821 | $2,728 | $68 |
| Average | $130,834 | $10,903 | $2,516 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,928 | $9,911 | $2,287 | $57 |
DJ&A - Missoula, MT
ESP Associates - Bozeman, MT
Williams Plumbing / Civil Construction - Belgrade, MT
Sanbell - Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
A Lead Design 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 Design 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 |
|---|---|
| Product D... Level Lead Design Engineer | $85,187 |
| Product D... Level Lead Design Engineer | $106,488 |
| Lead Desi... Level Lead Design Engineer | $130,025 |
| Product D... Level Lead Design Engineer | $152,322 |
| Product D... Level Lead Design Engineer | $139,420 |
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 Design 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 Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 46% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Lead Design Engineer positions in Transportation or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance | $154,385 | $74.0 | 18% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $150,459 | $72.0 | 15% |
| Business Services | $150,459 | $72.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $143,918 | $69.0 | 10% |
| Media | $143,918 | $69.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Lead Design 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 | $141,846 | $11,821 | $2,728 | $68 |
| Average | $130,834 | $10,903 | $2,516 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,928 | $9,911 | $2,287 | $57 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Rittal LLC
URBANA, OH
Rittal LLC | URBANA, OH
Location: Urbana, Ohio. Job Title: Associate Design Engineer. About Rittal. Rittal is a leading global provider of solutions for industrial enclosures, pow... more
14 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
LA PLATA, MD
SimVentions, Inc | LA PLATA, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a technology solutions company serving U.S. Department of Defense and federal customers, is seeking a Design Engineer (Electrical). In t... more
3 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
CHAPTICO, MD
SimVentions, Inc | CHAPTICO, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a leading technology solutions company supporting U.S. Department of Defense and federal agencies, is seeking a Design Engineer to focus... more
3 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
PORT TOBACCO, MD
SimVentions, Inc | PORT TOBACCO, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company supporting U.S. Department of Defense programs, is seeking a Design Engineer specializing... more
3 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
DENTSVILLE, MD
SimVentions, Inc | DENTSVILLE, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a technology solutions company serving U.S. Department of Defense and federal customers, is seeking a Design Engineer (Electrical). In t... more
3 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
CHARLOTTE HALL, MD
SimVentions, Inc | CHARLOTTE HALL, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a technology solutions company serving U.S. Department of Defense and federal customers, is seeking a Design Engineer (Electrical). In t... more
3 Days Ago
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