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Department Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Department Lead make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Department Lead in the United States is $47,447 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $53,499
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,543 to $50,615
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,078
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Department Lead Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Department Lead Salaries

A Department 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 Department Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Department 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): $44,622
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $44,882
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $45,748
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $46,787
  • Expert (over 8 years): $47,535
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Department Lead less than 1 year $44,622
Early Career Level Department Lead 1-2 years $44,882
Mid-Level Level Department Lead 2-4 years $45,748
Senior-Level Level Department Lead 5-8 years $46,787
Expert Level Department Lead over 8 years $47,535

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

  • District of Columbia: $52,534.
  • California: $52,334.
  • Massachusetts: $51,637.

Top Paying Cities for Department Lead

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: $59,845
  • San Francisco: $59,190
  • Oakland: $57,943

Department Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Department Lead roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Media, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Department Lead positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Department Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Department Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Media $56,937 $27.0 20%

How Education impacts a Department Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Department Lead professionals enter the field with a high school 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 Department Lead with a high school is between $45,546 and $50,301.

Department Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Department Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.9%
High School 30.9%
Associate's Degree 17.6%
Bachelor's Degree 46.4%
Master's Degree or MBA 4.1%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.1%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Department 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 September 01, 2026
$42,543
Average $47,447/year
$50,615
$3,545
Average $3,954/month
$4,218
$818
Average $912/week
$973
$20
Average $23/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $50,615 $4,218 $973 $24
Average $47,447 $3,954 $912 $23
25th Percentile $42,543 $3,545 $818 $20

Most common benefits for Department Lead

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Department Lead

Here are companies hiring for Department Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Department Lead Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Department Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Registered Nurse

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Registered Nurse- Emergency Department. University Hospitals East is committed to enhancing the quality of care provided to patients. The Inpatient Registe... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Department Chair Otolaryngology

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Department Chair, Otolaryngology. About the Company. Academic medical department delivering multi-location ENT care, education, research, and strategic gro... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Chair Department of Family Medicine

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Chair, Department of Family Medicine. About the Company. Multi-site family medicine practice delivering high-quality, accessible primary care while advanci... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Von Maur | Columbus, OH

    ASSISTANT DEPARTMENT MANAGER

    Von Maur | Columbus, OH

    Assistant Shoe Department Manager. As an Assistant Shoe Department Manager, you represent Von Maur and impact our reputation as America's Leading Departmen... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Department Head Non

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Department Head, Non-Nursing. About the Company. Senior living organizations committed to innovation and outstanding resident services. Industry. Hospital ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Von Maur | Columbus, OH

    DEPARTMENT MANAGER

    Von Maur | Columbus, OH

    Von Maur - 1530 Polaris Parkway - Responsibilities: Motivate associates to deliver outstanding customer service. Develop relationships to grow department b... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Department Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Department Lead?

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

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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