What are the main factors that influence a Program Lead's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Program Lead?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Program Lead roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change A Program Lead's salary?

A Program Lead's salary grows with experience: starting around $111,014 for beginners, reaching about $112,997 at mid-level, and approach $119,746 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Program Lead?

Program Lead salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Program Lead roles are District of Columbia $127,618, California $127,134, Massachusetts $125,440. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Program Lead roles make?

Salaries for Program Lead level roles vary by specialization: Policy Governance Program Lead: $143,559; Lead Program Manager: $142,455; Program Management Lead: $141,030; Manufacturing Program Manager IV: $129,900; Engineering Program Manager IV: $129,869.

Program Lead Salary in Delaware

How much does a Program Lead make in Delaware?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Lead in Delaware is $116,726 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $136,340
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,877 to $126,993
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $92,178

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Program Lead Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$126,993	$10,583	$2,442	$61
Average	$116,726	$9,727	$2,245	$56
25th Percentile	$103,877	$8,656	$1,998	$50

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Program Lead Salaries

A Program Lead'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.

How Experience Level Affects Program Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Program Lead'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): $111,014
Early Career (1-2 years): $111,609
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $112,997
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $116,726
Expert (over 8 years): $119,746

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Program Lead	$111,014
Intermediate Level Program Lead	$111,609
Senior Level Program Lead	$112,997
Specialist Level Program Lead	$116,726
Expert Level Program Lead	$119,746

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Program Lead 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 Program Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $127,618.
California: $127,134.
Massachusetts: $125,440.

District of Columbia $127,618 California $127,134 Massachusetts $125,440 Washington $124,979 New Jersey $124,932 Alaska $124,771 Connecticut $123,180 New York $122,535

Hawaii $120,472 Rhode Island $119,504 Maryland $118,847 Minnesota $117,948 Colorado $117,602 Illinois $117,487 Oregon $117,049 Delaware $116,726

New Hampshire $116,523 Virginia $116,069 Pennsylvania $114,743 Nevada $114,075 North Dakota $113,856 Michigan $113,510 Wisconsin $113,383 Vermont $113,130

Texas $112,427 Maine $112,380 Arizona $112,311 Ohio $112,231 Georgia $111,170 Indiana $110,640 Wyoming $110,536 Utah $110,375

Iowa $110,306 Kansas $109,752 Louisiana $109,591 North Carolina $109,533 Missouri $109,510 Florida $109,061 Montana $108,819 Nebraska $108,588

Kentucky $108,462 South Carolina $108,000 Tennessee $107,712 Idaho $107,597 New Mexico $106,756 Oklahoma $106,571 Alabama $105,891 South Dakota $104,750

Arkansas $104,128 West Virginia $103,793 Mississippi $102,791

Top Paying Cities for Program Leads

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:

Lincoln: $116,200
Little Creek: $117,051
Magnolia: $116,883

Lincoln, DE $116,200 Little Creek, DE $117,051 Magnolia, DE $116,883 Milford, DE $116,495 Marydel, DE $116,687 Millsboro, DE $115,713 Millville, DE $115,891 Milton, DE $116,092

Nassau, DE $116,176 Ocean View, DE $115,872 Rehoboth Beach, DE $116,094 Seaford, DE $116,160 Selbyville, DE $115,679 Smyrna, DE $117,132 Viola, DE $116,592 Woodside, DE $116,906

Bear, DE $116,636 Newark, DE $116,592 Claymont, DE $116,831 Delaware City, DE $116,709 Hockessin, DE $116,582 Kirkwood, DE $116,687 Middletown, DE $116,732 Montchanin, DE $116,608

New Castle, DE $116,626 Odessa, DE $116,789 Port Penn, DE $116,868 Rockland, DE $116,620 Saint Georges, DE $116,695 Townsend, DE $116,875 Winterthur, DE $116,634 Lewes, DE $116,137

Wilmington, DE $116,588 Dover, DE $117,051 Dover Afb, DE $116,434 Bethany Beach, DE $115,750 Bethel, DE $115,869 Bridgeville, DE $116,143 Camden Wyoming, DE $116,721 Cheswold, DE $117,013

Clayton, DE $117,016 Dagsboro, DE $115,669 Delmar, DE $115,483 Ellendale, DE $115,834 Felton, DE $116,486 Fenwick Island, DE $115,694 Frankford, DE $115,493 Frederica, DE $116,601

Georgetown, DE $115,625 Greenwood, DE $116,161 Harbeson, DE $115,748 Harrington, DE $116,339 Hartly, DE $116,700 Houston, DE $116,173 Kenton, DE $117,022 Laurel, DE $115,556

Yorklyn, DE $116,616

Program Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Program Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Program Lead positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Program Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Program Lead

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals	$140,071	$67.0	20%

Program Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Program Lead'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 August 01, 2026

$103,877

Average $116,726/year

$126,993

$8,656

Average $9,727/month

$10,583

$1,998

Average $2,245/week

$2,442

$50

Average $56/hour

$61

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$126,993	$10,583	$2,442	$61
Average	$116,726	$9,727	$2,245	$56
25th Percentile	$103,877	$8,656	$1,998	$50

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