Salary guide, May 2025
Lead Reliability Engineer pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers in the United States was $79,860 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $62,690 and $101,360.
Broader occupation · SOC 49-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Lead Reliability Engineer is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49,600 | $62,690 | $79,860 | $101,360 | $126,790 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23.85 | $30.14 | $38.39 | $48.73 | $60.96 |
BLS estimated 617,500 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 49-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $77,310 | $60,660 to $97,290 | 11,870 | 1.06 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $75,880 | $60,290 to $94,160 | 5,610 | 0.98 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $74,590 | $58,880 to $93,070 | 5,760 | 1.03 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $76,450 | $63,130 to $95,140 | 3,120 | 1.06 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $97,560 | $77,210 to $125,700 | 24,570 | 0.65 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $97,560 | $77,210 to $125,700 | 24,570 | 0.65 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $78,740 | $60,980 to $99,250 | 19,530 | 1.21 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $85,420 | $71,260 to $107,460 | 11,630 | 0.65 |
Rank every metro for Lead Reliability Engineer
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$135,420
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$135,420
- Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills$118,300
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$107,750
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing$106,990
- Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only)$105,930
- Paper Manufacturing$105,240
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing$104,100
- Chemical Manufacturing$102,400
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing$101,900
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing$100,530
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing$100,070
- Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing$99,140
- Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel$98,600
- Converted Paper Product Manufacturing$98,130
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 63,900 | $77,980 | $94,490 | $108,590 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 12,540 | $76,550 | $88,570 | $101,220 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 8,420 | $80,130 | $96,980 | $108,820 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 6,680 | $88,040 | $102,400 | $124,060 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 5,290 | $73,360 | $84,770 | $101,200 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 4,880 | $75,690 | $93,470 | $107,030 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 4,230 | $94,740 | $105,930 | $128,810 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 4,210 | $77,520 | $90,060 | $102,310 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 3,710 | $75,510 | $93,930 | $106,860 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 3,700 | $78,140 | $86,070 | $99,000 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 3,460 | $78,750 | $94,420 | $105,410 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 3,320 | $78,610 | $91,810 | $102,700 |
| 322000 | Paper Manufacturing | 3,130 | $88,340 | $105,240 | $125,860 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 2,700 | $80,210 | $95,040 | $102,810 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 2,310 | $76,800 | $93,680 | $107,030 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 2,310 | $76,800 | $93,680 | $107,030 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 2,290 | $90,590 | $107,750 | $122,220 |
| 311800 | Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 2,280 | $31,220 | $78,010 | $95,590 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 2,260 | $78,570 | $100,530 | $122,040 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 2,000 | $75,280 | $86,620 | $101,200 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 1,930 | $67,910 | $82,090 | $100,360 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 1,840 | $73,130 | $83,590 | $102,430 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 1,730 | $70,340 | $87,300 | $103,050 |
| 322200 | Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 1,730 | $80,560 | $98,130 | $115,990 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 1,720 | $78,190 | $87,510 | $104,840 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 1,700 | $80,460 | $95,150 | $103,720 |
| 312100 | Beverage Manufacturing | 1,640 | $80,380 | $95,150 | $103,640 |
| 311400 | Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | 1,610 | $78,950 | $92,220 | $103,340 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 1,600 | $116,290 | $135,420 | $152,050 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 1,600 | $116,290 | $135,420 | $152,050 |
| 325400 | Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 1,590 | $84,680 | $100,070 | $115,480 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 1,530 | $79,480 | $93,220 | $104,380 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 1,490 | $79,810 | $96,300 | $103,850 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 1,410 | $103,570 | $118,300 | $130,050 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 1,390 | $94,020 | $104,100 | $118,570 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 1,190 | $62,390 | $77,670 | $92,200 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 1,060 | $56,660 | $76,310 | $91,830 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 990 | $71,090 | $93,980 | $106,360 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 960 | $82,310 | $101,900 | $121,400 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 920 | $81,270 | $92,330 | $104,840 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 910 | $71,310 | $84,450 | $98,080 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 880 | $72,890 | $84,550 | $101,590 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 860 | $79,600 | $95,760 | $103,140 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 860 | $91,100 | $106,990 | $126,550 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 770 | $74,230 | $85,730 | $97,790 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 750 | $71,020 | $81,000 | $97,210 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 750 | $77,740 | $93,790 | $108,670 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 730 | $66,610 | $79,220 | $95,190 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 730 | $75,200 | $83,620 | $98,650 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 700 | $82,850 | $96,710 | $108,320 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 690 | $85,600 | $97,090 | $105,140 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 690 | $70,690 | $84,150 | $95,970 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 650 | $82,210 | $96,330 | $108,790 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 650 | $70,350 | $80,060 | $95,750 |
| 321100 | Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 610 | $73,790 | $97,360 | $105,210 |
| 311100 | Animal Food Manufacturing | 590 | $74,250 | $86,650 | $100,560 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 590 | $72,750 | $81,960 | $104,070 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 540 | $69,310 | $85,360 | $103,070 |
| 323000 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 490 | $74,520 | $87,180 | $102,500 |
| 323100 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 490 | $74,520 | $87,180 | $102,500 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 470 | $83,450 | $99,140 | $117,390 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 430 | $77,960 | $95,050 | $112,470 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 420 | $73,480 | $86,080 | $105,110 |
| 321200 | Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 400 | $73,910 | $94,990 | $109,270 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 400 | $80,950 | $98,600 | $120,030 |
| 313000 | Textile Mills | 380 | $60,960 | $78,090 | $98,550 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 330 | $77,550 | $90,730 | $108,070 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 320 | $62,890 | $73,850 | $91,380 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 220 | $74,050 | $86,980 | $108,050 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 200 | $63,740 | $71,830 | $94,870 |
| 313200 | Fabric Mills | 190 | $69,100 | $82,320 | $103,310 |
| 314100 | Textile Furnishings Mills | 180 | $65,070 | $73,600 | $92,080 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 180 | $50,780 | $61,650 | $91,150 |
| 311700 | Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | 170 | $76,730 | $87,500 | $114,520 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 150 | $80,110 | $82,100 | $94,170 |
| 314900 | Other Textile Product Mills | 140 | $58,590 | $76,200 | $89,560 |
| 313100 | Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills | 100 | $56,240 | $71,590 | $88,850 |
| 313300 | Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills | 100 | $53,820 | $77,070 | $97,970 |
| 337900 | Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 100 | $76,080 | $94,400 | $108,570 |
| 312200 | Tobacco Manufacturing | 70 | $80,460 | $94,670 | $105,470 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 60 | $68,350 | $81,150 | $98,070 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 60 | $74,680 | $80,240 | $101,150 |
| 315000 | Apparel Manufacturing | 40 | $65,070 | $70,720 | $87,360 |
| 316000 | Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | 40 | $73,860 | $88,590 | $100,430 |
| 315200 | Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 30 | $65,070 | $70,720 | $88,500 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | Not published by BLS | $78,490 | $89,940 | $112,510 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | Not published by BLS | $73,940 | $90,290 | $103,860 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Lead Reliability Engineer, clarify the base pay before discussing call-outs, travel or extra shifts. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $61,240 | $78,300 | $99,630 |
| May 2025 | $62,690 | $79,860 | $101,360 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
What should you know about supervisory and worker occupations?
BLS publishes these as separate occupations. Pay for one is not a pay step for the other.
- Worker occupation: Field Service Engineer pay (SOC 49-9041)
- Worker occupation: Millwright pay (SOC 49-9044)
- Worker occupation: PLC / Controls Technician pay (SOC 49-2094)
- Worker occupation: Industrial Refrigeration (Ammonia) Technician pay (SOC 49-9021)
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about the authority you are offering?
Settle technical leadership versus formal ownership of the maintenance workforce before outreach begins. We put the difference around technical leadership versus formal ownership of the maintenance workforce in front of you so the interview tests missing experience rather than assuming it is already there.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Lead Reliability Engineer?
The median annual wage for First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers in the United States was $79,860 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $62,690 and $101,360. This is the broader occupation BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $49,600. 90% earned less than $126,790.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Lead Reliability Engineer at a plant?
Lead Reliability Engineer is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 617,500 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
What does this data mean for your opening?
The Lead Reliability Engineer role is categorized under the First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers (49-1011) occupational code, which includes 617,500 workers. This is a very broad grouping that covers all levels of maintenance and repair supervision, and it does not capture the highly specialized technical demands of a lead reliability engineer.
The national median stands at $79,860, showing a $1,560 increase from the May 2024 figure of $78,300. The middle band width is $38,670, with a P25 of $62,690 and a P75 of $101,360. Manufacturing Headhunters notes that for reliability engineering leaders, compensation is often decoupled from traditional maintenance supervision ranges due to the high technical demands of equipment uptime strategy.
National industry benchmarks demonstrate how sectors prioritize reliability. Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing shows a national median of $135,420, while the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills sector reports $118,300. These are national industry medians and should be used as benchmarks rather than local estimates. These BLS figures exclude non-monetary components such as specialized technical training, system bonuses, and retention incentives that are highly common for reliability experts.
Regional data further illustrates market variation. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area lists a median of $97,560 and a middle band width of $48,490, while the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area lists a median of $78,740 with a middle band width of $38,270. Location quotients of 0.65 in New York and 1.21 in Dallas suggest varied demand for this type of leadership. Because this role combines technical failure analysis with department-wide reliability ownership, hiring managers should recognize that the broader SOC includes less technical supervisory roles. Consequently, the upper end of these ranges or industry-specific medians should be used to ensure competitiveness.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Why is the Lead Reliability Engineer mapped to the same SOC as maintenance supervisors?
The BLS (49-1011) is the most standard category for maintenance-focused roles. We map to this as it is the official source of data for the vast majority of plant maintenance leaders.
Should I use the $135,420 petroleum industry median?
Yes, that figure is much more representative of the value placed on reliability leaders in high-complexity manufacturing. The national median of $79,860 is simply too broad for this technical specialty.
What is the biggest limitation of this salary data?
The limitation is the broad SOC classification which includes non-specialized supervisors. Reliability engineers provide a level of technical depth that isn't reflected in the broader supervisory average.
Related recruiting or pay page · Related wage comparison 1 · Data methodology · Related wage comparison 3 · Related wage comparison 4