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 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 leaders:
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Co-Leader is the highest-paid type of leader with an average salary of $120,244 and an average hourly rate of $57.81.
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The second highest-paying type of leader is senior leader, with an average salary of $114,328.
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The average leader salary is $86,964 per year, and the average hourly pay is $41.81.
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 leader, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of leaders are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of leaders:
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Co-Leader
Average Salary: $120,244
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Senior Leader
Average Salary: $114,328
A senior leader specializes in overseeing the business operations and work progress within a particular department or office. Focusing on the workflow and the workforce, they are in charge of assessing performances and motivating staff to meet goals and stay within the allotted time and budget. They may also participate in the hiring and training of new employees, utilizing their talents and shaping them into valuable members of the workforce, all while implementing company rules and regulations.
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Cell Leader
Average Salary: $109,257
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Group Leader
Average Salary: $100,480
A group leader is responsible for overseeing and distributing fair tasks to the members, ensuring clear instructions and procedures. Group leaders are mainly the ones leading the team towards their success. Duties of a group leader also include setting the team’s expectations, providing necessary resources to make the task successful, and sharing regular updates on the team’s performance. A group leader requires to have strong leadership and problem-solving skills to manage team concerns and resolve complaints quickly and efficiently.
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Section Leader
Average Salary: $93,587
A section leader is responsible for supporting the musical director on delivering the highest quality on musical performance and recitals. Section leaders provide leadership to their assigned musical section, responding to the artists’ inquiries and concerns, and organize rehearsals as needed to ensure excellence and satisfy the guests’ musical experience. They also actively participate in production meetings, take initiatives on personal coaching, and demonstrate the usage of instruments to guide new musicians. A section leader must have excellent communication and leadership skills to provide production support, making sure that no one will be left behind.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various leader that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Leaders
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Co-Leader | |
| 2 | Senior Leader | |
| 3 | Cell Leader | |
| 4 | Group Leader | |
| 5 | Section Leader | |
| 6 | Process Leader | |
| 7 | Team Leader | |
| 8 | Site Leader | |
| 9 | Operations Team Leader | |
| 10 | Production Leader | |
| 11 | Team Leader/Trainer | |
| 12 | Unit Leader | |
| 13 | Line Leader | |
| 14 | Peer Leader | |
| 15 | Assistant Program Leader | |
| 16 | Camp Leader | |
| 17 | Girl Scout Leader | |
| 18 | Activities Leader | |
| 19 | Recreation Leader | |
| 20 | Youth Leader |
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 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 Leader Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid leader job?
The highest-paid leader job is a co-leader. Co-Leaders earn an average salary of $120,244, which is $ 57.81 hourly.
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What is a good salary for a leader?
A good salary for a leader is $86,964 or more. The average leader salary is $86,964, so those making at least $86,964 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average 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 leader, the average entry level salary is $85,746, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $86,964 average, as this includes all leaders of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Leader jobs pay well?
Yes, leader jobs pay well. As in any industry, some leader jobs pay better than others, but the average leader salary of $86,964 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many leader jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of leaders earning $109,889 a year on average.
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 leader. Do your research on the going rate for a leader in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do leaders get paid the most?
Leaders get paid the most in Maine. In Maine, leaders earn an average annual salary of $107,828 and an average hourly wage of $51.84.
Following ME, the states with the highest-paid leaders are Connecticut, Texas, and Delaware, with average annual salaries of $102,385, $85,680, and $98,258 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid leader salaries are:
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Portland, ME – $108,922
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Washington, DC – $105,082
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Boston, MA – $104,649
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Author
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.
