Software Technical Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Technical Lead make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Technical Lead in the United States is $128,116 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,717
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,637 to $138,376
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,544
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View as table View as graph 25% $112,637 10% $98,544 90% $147,717 75% $138,376 $128,116 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Technical Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $138,376 $11,531 $2,661 $67
Average $128,116 $10,676 $2,464 $62
25th Percentile $112,637 $9,386 $2,166 $54
Check out Software Technical Lead Job Openings in the United States
Technical Sales Account Manager

LaserLinc - Fairborn, OH

End User Technical Support

CBTS - Mason, OH

Lead Software Engineering

L3Harris Technologies - Mason, OH

Technical Program Engineer

Aroha Technologies - Price Hill, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Software Technical Lead Salaries

A Software Technical 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software Technical Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Technical 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): $154,082
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $113,835
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $127,361
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $167,393
  • Expert (over 8 years): $187,988
Levels Salary
Technical... Level Software Technical Lead$154,082
Technical... Level Software Technical Lead$113,835
Software ... Level Software Technical Lead$127,361
Technical... Level Software Technical Lead$167,393
Technical... Level Software Technical Lead$187,988
$154,082 0 yr
$113,835 < 2 yrs
$127,361 2-4 yrs
$167,393 5-8 yrs
$187,988 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $141,850.
  • California: $141,312.
  • Massachusetts: $139,429.

Top Paying Cities for Software Technical 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:

  • San Jose: $161,593
  • San Francisco: $159,823
  • Oakland: $156,455

What Skills Can Increase a Software Technical Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 6.49% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Product Support (Mentioned in 4.71% Job Postings): Product support is a service provided by many vendors of various products, primarily electronics, that provides the end-user with a resource for information regarding the product, and help if the product should malfunction. Product-support information can be found in most manuals for products via a phone number, web site address, or physical location. The Internet has allowed for a new[citation needed] form of product support to develop. Some online communities have developed to give support where manufacturer support is lacking.
  • Call Center (Mentioned in 0.73% Job Postings): A call centre or call center is a managed capability that can be centralised or remote that is used for receiving or transmitting a large volume of enquiries by telephone.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 6.49%
Product Support 4.71%
Call Center 0.73%
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 Software Technical Lead's salary.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Product Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting
 $140,928
10%
Product Management
 $140,928
10%
Product Development
 $140,928
10%
Presentation
 $139,646
9%
Innovation
 $139,646
9%
Insight
 $139,646
9%
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How Education impacts a Software Technical Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Technical Leads 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 Software Technical Lead with a No Diploma is between $124,816 and $134,147).

Software Technical Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Technical Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.9%
High School 12.3%
Associates 15.8%
Bachelors 47.8%
Masters 18.9%
Doctorate 1.3%
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Software Technical Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Technical 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 01, 2026
$112,637
Average $128,116/year
$138,376
$9,386
Average $10,676/month
$11,531
$2,166
Average $2,464/week
$2,661
$54
Average $62/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $138,376 $11,531 $2,661 $67
Average $128,116 $10,676 $2,464 $62
25th Percentile $112,637 $9,386 $2,166 $54

Salaries of jobs related to Software Technical Lead

Salary Trends for Software Technical Lead

Salaries for a Software Technical Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $116,115 in 2023 to around $114,754 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Technical Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Technical Lead Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$116,115
2024
$115,822
2025
$114,754
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $116,115
2024 $115,822
2025 $114,754
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Software Technical Lead

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Software Technical Lead

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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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