Lead Full-Stack Engineer Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$182,000
national median salary
$142,000 to $237,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$251,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$190,000
Charlotte, NC
Lowest Paying
$142,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026. Baseline derived from BLS SOC 15-1252. Full methodology.
The average Lead Full-Stack Engineer salary in the United States is $182,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $142,000 at the 25th percentile to $237,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $251,000, while Charlotte offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments.
Lead Full-Stack Engineer salary by city
Skills that increase Lead Full-Stack Engineer pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Lead Full-Stack Engineers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $20,020 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$20,020 per year
≈ +$18,200 per year
≈ +$14,560 per year
≈ +$14,560 per year
≈ +$12,740 per year
≈ +$10,920 per year
≈ +$9,100 per year
≈ +$9,100 per year
Total compensation breakdown
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Lead Full-Stack Engineers typically earn $164,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you a Lead Full-Stack Engineer?
Share your real compensation anonymously. Help build the most accurate salary dataset for this role. Your data is never individually exposed.