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Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Manufacturing Engineer in the United States is $126,287 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

However, a Lead Manufacturing Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $141,175
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $118,334 to $134,080
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $111,093
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salaries

A Lead Manufacturing 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Manufacturing 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): $89,521
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $103,053
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $125,714
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $144,417
  • Expert (over 8 years): $171,654
Levels Salary
Manufactu... Level Lead Manufacturing Engineer$89,521
Manufactu... Level Lead Manufacturing Engineer$103,053
Lead Manu... Level Lead Manufacturing Engineer$125,714
Manufactu... Level Lead Manufacturing Engineer$144,417
Manufactu... Level Lead Manufacturing Engineer$171,654
View as Graph

How Do Lead Manufacturing 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 Manufacturing Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $139,825.
  • California: $139,295.
  • Massachusetts: $137,438.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Manufacturing 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: $159,286
  • San Francisco: $157,542
  • Oakland: $154,222

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.46% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Mechanical Engineering (Mentioned in 2.5% Job Postings): Mechanical engineering is the discipline that applies engineering, physics, engineering mathematics, and materials science principles to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines. The mechanical engineering field requires an understanding of core areas including mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity. In addition to these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product life cycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, transport systems, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices, weapons, and others. It is the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery.
  • Cost Reduction (Mentioned in 1.8% Job Postings): Cost reduction is the process used by companies to reduce their costs and increase their profits. Depending on a company’s services or product, the strategies can vary. Every decision in the product development process affects cost. Companies typically launch a new product without focusing too much on cost. Cost becomes more important when competition increases and price becomes a differentiator in the market.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.46%
Mechanical Engineering 2.5%
Cost Reduction 1.8%
See More Skills

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 Manufacturing Engineer's salary.

  • Quality Management: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Product Design: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Quality Management $143,967
14%
Product Development $143,967
14%
Product Design $141,441
12%
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Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Manufacturing Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Lead Manufacturing Engineer positions in Telecom or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Manufacturing Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$164,173$79.030%
Software & Networking$164,173$79.030%
Chemicals$151,544$73.020%
Pharmaceuticals$151,544$73.020%
Aerospace & Defense$138,916$67.010%

How Education impacts a Lead Manufacturing Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Manufacturing Engineers enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Manufacturing Engineer with a No Diploma is between $130,720 and $137,110).

Lead Manufacturing Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lead Manufacturing Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 100.0%
High School 0.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 100.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Lead Manufacturing 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 September 01, 2026
$118,334
Average $126,287/year
$134,080
$9,861
Average $10,524/month
$11,173
$2,276
Average $2,429/week
$2,578
$57
Average $61/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $134,080 $11,173 $2,578 $64
Average $126,287 $10,524 $2,429 $61
25th Percentile $118,334 $9,861 $2,276 $57

Most common benefits for Lead Manufacturing Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Lead Manufacturing Engineer

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

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FAQ about Lead Manufacturing Engineer

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

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Manufacturing Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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