Highest-Paying Team Leader Jobs [2023]

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of team leaders that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of team leaders:

• Senior Team Lead is the highest-paid type of team leader with an average salary of $115,480 and an average hourly rate of $55.52.

• The second highest-paying type of team leader is technician support team leader, with an average salary of $88,988.

• The average team leader salary is $68,817 per year, and the average hourly pay is $33.09.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a team leader, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of team leaders are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of team leaders:

1. Senior Team Lead

   Average Salary: $115,480

   A senior team lead specializes in spearheading operations in a particular team or department. Although the responsibilities will vary according to the line of work or one’s employment industry, most of it will revolve around overseeing the team’s performance and ensuring that everything is running smoothly. It is also the senior team lead that sets the budget and goals most of the time, encouraging staff to meet them. Furthermore, as a senior officer in the team, it is vital to be a role model, shaping employees into valuable workforce members.

2. Technician Support Team Leader

   Average Salary: $88,988

   A technician support team leader is tasked with leading and training a technical support team. They are required to organize scheduled staff reviews and communicate new procedures and policies to them. They ensure that all goals are met. They have to ensure that the staff under them are highly productive and they must develop ways to increase their productivity.

3. Team Lead/Manager

   Average Salary: $88,042

   A team lead or manager is a professional who is responsible for guiding and directing employees so that they can achieve efficient operations within the organization. Team leads manage all the activities of their employees and distribute information to them as well as stakeholders. They provide coaching and training to employees so that they can achieve goals and developed the necessary skills that get results. The team also leads set ground rules and properly assigns tasks to employees so that they can avoid conflicts among staff.

4. Leader

   Average Salary: $86,964

   Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights. They set the direction of the organization, much like how a captain sets the sails of the ship. They are responsible for coming up with main strategies and alternatives should there be challenges along the way. Leaders ensure that the company is guided by its vision and mission and that the employees emulate company values. They do so through leading by example. Leaders should have strategic skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.

5. Team Manager

   Average Salary: $82,017

   Team managers primarily manage the daily activities of their members. Their role includes setting targets, implementing guidelines, and supporting employees to solve any issues that may arise. It is their duty to make sure that the team’s objectives are fully understood by all members and that they work closely to fulfill them. They must ensure that all of their members are working towards a common goal through constant monitoring. To manage the team, they may utilize certain principles, such as the SMART principle. They also train members to see to it that their goals are distinct, measurable, attainable, and timely.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various team leader that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Team Leaders

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for team leaders.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Team Leader Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid team leader job?

   The highest-paid team leader job is a senior team lead. Senior Team Leads earn an average salary of $115,480, which is $ 55.52 hourly.

   A senior team lead specializes in spearheading operations in a particular team or department. Although the responsibilities will vary according to the line of work or one’s employment industry, most of it will revolve around overseeing the team’s performance and ensuring that everything is running smoothly. It is also the senior team lead that sets the budget and goals most of the time, encouraging staff to meet them. Furthermore, as a senior officer in the team, it is vital to be a role model, shaping employees into valuable workforce members.

2. What is a good salary for a team leader?

   A good salary for a team leader is $68,817 or more. The average team leader salary is $68,817, so those making at least $68,817 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average team leader salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a team leader, the average entry level salary is $46,452, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $68,817 average, as this includes all team leaders of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Team Leader jobs pay well?

   Yes, team leader jobs pay well. As in any industry, some team leader jobs pay better than others, but the average team leader salary of $68,817 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many team leader jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of team leaders earning $150,614 a year on average.

   Team Leaders’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a team leader. Do your research on the going rate for a team leader in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do team leaders get paid the most?

   Team Leaders get paid the most in New York. In New York, team leaders earn an average annual salary of $95,136 and an average hourly wage of $45.74.

   Following NY, the states with the highest-paid team leaders are Alaska, New Jersey, and Virginia, with average annual salaries of $109,358, $92,822, and $73,362 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid team leader salaries are:

   1. New York, NY – $96,310

   2. Jersey City, NJ – $93,154

   3. San Francisco, CA – $87,614

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.