Salary AI Book a Demo

Department Lead Salary in New York

How much does a Department Lead make in New York? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Department Lead in New York is $50,441 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $56,874
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,227 to $53,809
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,480
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Department Lead Job Openings in New York

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 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): $47,438
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $47,714
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $48,635
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $49,740
  • Expert (over 8 years): $50,535
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Department Lead less than 1 year $47,438
Early Career Level Department Lead 1-2 years $47,714
Mid-Level Level Department Lead 2-4 years $48,635
Senior-Level Level Department Lead 5-8 years $49,740
Expert Level Department Lead over 8 years $50,535

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:

  • Holtsville: $52,060
  • Brentwood: $51,972
  • Brightwaters: $51,509

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 $60,529 $29.0 20%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$45,227
Average $50,441/year
$53,809
$3,769
Average $4,203/month
$4,484
$870
Average $970/week
$1,035
$22
Average $24/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,809 $4,484 $1,035 $26
Average $50,441 $4,203 $970 $24
25th Percentile $45,227 $3,769 $870 $22

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.

  • COSTELLOS ACE | Island Park, NY

    Paint Department Lead Island Park

    COSTELLOS ACE | Island Park, NY

    Position SummaryThe Paint Department Lead is responsible for the success of their store's paint department and maintain outstanding customer service and he... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Ross Dress For Less | Buffalo, NY

    Department Supervisor

    Ross Dress For Less | Buffalo, NY

    Job Description. Job Description. About the Job. About the job our values start with our people, join a team that values you. We are the nation’s largest o... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Sunflower Market | Woodstock, NY

    Department Manager

    Sunflower Market | Woodstock, NY

    Job Description. Job Description. Sunflower Market is seeking. Department Managers. for our natural foods store in Woodstock, NY. As a Department Manager, ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Ross Dress For Less | Ithaca, NY

    Department Supervisor

    Ross Dress For Less | Ithaca, NY

    Job Description. Job Description. About the job. About the job our values start with our people, join a team that values you. We are the nation’s largest o... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Hobby Lobby | Victor, NY

    Department Manager

    Hobby Lobby | Victor, NY

    Hobby Lobby - JobID: 843677 [Department Supervisor] As a Department Manager at Hobby Lobby, you'll: Be responsible for the ordering, stocking, merchandise ... more

    5 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst