▲18%
$108,367
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$75k
MEDIAN
$108k
90%
$146k
The average salary for a Lead Software Engineer is $108,367 in 2025
Base Salary
$75k - $146k
Bonus
$2k - $16k
Profit Sharing
$2k - $18k
Total Pay
$77k - $152k
Is Average Early-Career Lead Software Engineer with Software Development Skills Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Lead Software Engineers?
What Do Lead Software Engineers Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Lead Software Engineer
Medical
89%
Dental
82%
Vision
73%
None
11%
Gender Breakdown for Lead Software Engineers
Male
85.5%
Female
12.9%
Prefer to self-define
1.6%
This data is based on 124 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Lead Software Engineers
What is the highest pay for Lead Software Engineers?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Lead Software Engineer is $146k / year
What is the lowest pay for Lead Software Engineers?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Lead Software Engineer is $75k / year
How can Lead Software Engineers increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Lead Software Engineer is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Lead Software Engineer that oversees more junior Lead Software Engineers, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.