Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Controls Lead in California is $195,912 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $94.
However, a Project Controls Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
Smart Recruiting
Project Controls Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $215,868 | $17,989 | $4,151 | $104 |
| Average | $195,912 | $16,326 | $3,768 | $94 |
| 25th Percentile | $180,589 | $15,049 | $3,473 | $87 |
Turner & Townsend - San Francisco, CA
Tylin - San Diego, CA
GovernmentJobs.com - Orange, CA
Automated Solutions Group Inc - San Jose, CA
A Project Controls 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Project Controls 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Cost Engi... Level Project Controls Lead | $143,709 |
| Cost Engi... Level Project Controls Lead | $169,339 |
| Project C... Level Project Controls Lead | $126,625 |
| Project C... Level Project Controls Lead | $165,762 |
| Project C... Level Project Controls Lead | $194,444 |
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 Project Controls Leads. 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 Project Controls Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Project Controls Lead positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Controls Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $254,685 | $122.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $244,889 | $118.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $235,094 | $113.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $225,298 | $108.0 | 15% |
| Business Services | $215,503 | $104.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Project Controls 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $215,868 | $17,989 | $4,151 | $104 |
| Average | $195,912 | $16,326 | $3,768 | $94 |
| 25th Percentile | $180,589 | $15,049 | $3,473 | $87 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Controls Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Sunbelt Controls
Azusa, CA
Sunbelt Controls | Azusa, CA
Project ManagerThe Project Manager has responsibility to acquire new projects at acceptable margin levels and to manage these projects to successful comple... more
7 Days Ago
Jacobs Solutions
Fremont, CA
Jacobs Solutions | Fremont, CA
Project Controls AnalystAt Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilien... more
7 Days Ago
ENTRUST Solutions Group
Chico, CA
ENTRUST Solutions Group | Chico, CA
Project Controls AnalystJob Category:PMORequisition Number:PROJE004603Location:Chico, CA 95928, USAThis is a hybrid remote & onsite role that will regularl... more
7 Days Ago
PM2CM Inc
Pomona, CA
PM2CM Inc | Pomona, CA
PM2CM, Inc., (Project Management to Construction Management) is a professional services company dedicated to providing Program and Project Management, Cons... more
7 Days Ago
Qualus
Los Angeles, CA
Qualus | Los Angeles, CA
Lead Project Controls SpecialistPower Your Future with Qualus as a Lead Project Controls Specialist in our Program Management Organization. This position r... more
7 Days Ago
JLM Strategic Talent Partners
San Pedro, CA
JLM Strategic Talent Partners | San Pedro, CA
WHO IS JLM STRATEGIC TALENT PARTNERS & WHAT IS OUR ROLEWe partner with National & International prime contractors to provide them with qualified talent the... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
