▼24%
$132,936
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$96k
MEDIAN
$133k
90%
$165k
The average salary for a Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE) is $132,936 in 2026
Base Salary
$96k - $165k
Bonus
$2k - $20k
Profit Sharing
$800 - $14k
Total Pay
$96k - $174k
Is Average Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE) 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?
EXPLORE BY:
Featured Content
‹
Remote Work
New research shows how to set pay for remote employees
Gender Pay Gap
New research shows that each woman experiences the disparity of gender pay gap in different ways, depending on her position, age, race and education.
Compensation Best Practices Report
From compensation planning to variable pay to pay equity analysis, we surveyed 4,900+ organizations on how they manage compensation.
Salary Budget Survey Report
See how organizations are shifting their salary budgets this year.
Retention Report
Get strategies you can use to retain top talent and learn how impactful employee retention really is.
Variable Pay Playbook
Before you decide whether variable pay is right for your org, get a deeper understanding of the variable pay options and the cultural impact of pay choices.
›
What is the Pay by Experience Level for Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)s?
Find your market worth – how it works:
How do Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)s Rate Their Jobs?
Based on 22 responses, the job of Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE) has received a job satisfaction rating of 3.73 out of 5. On average, Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)s are highly satisfied with their job.
Common Health Benefits for a Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)
Medical
87%
Dental
82%
Vision
78%
None
13%
Gender Breakdown for Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)s
Male
73.4%
Female
25.3%
Prefer to self-define
1.3%
This data is based on 79 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)s
What is the highest pay for Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)s?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE) is $165k / year
What is the lowest pay for Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)s?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE) is $96k / year
How can Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)s increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE) 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 Development Engineer (SDE) that oversees more junior Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)s, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.