As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lean Engineer in California is $107,334 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.
However, a Lean Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lean Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $117,044 | $9,754 | $2,251 | $56 |
| Average | $107,334 | $8,945 | $2,064 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,452 | $8,121 | $1,874 | $47 |
Doctors of Physical Therapy - LAREDO, TX
Shuttleworth & Ingersoll PLC - CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
Synergy Medical Systems - EUGENE, OR
Creative Dental Solutions - BANGOR, ME
A Lean 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 Lean 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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Lean Engineer | $102,111 |
| Intermediate Level Lean Engineer | $102,863 |
| Senior Level Lean Engineer | $104,366 |
| Specialist Level Lean Engineer | $109,476 |
| Expert Level Lean Engineer | $112,046 |
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 Lean 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 Lean 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 Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Lean Engineer positions in Transportation or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lean Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $139,535 | $67.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $134,168 | $65.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $128,801 | $62.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $123,434 | $59.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $118,068 | $57.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Lean 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 | $117,044 | $9,754 | $2,251 | $56 |
| Average | $107,334 | $8,945 | $2,064 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,452 | $8,121 | $1,874 | $47 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lean Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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