What is the average Director of Engineering salary in the US?

The national median Director of Engineering salary is $215,000 per year. Entry-level positions start around $168,000, while senior professionals earn $345,000 or more.

Which city pays Director of Engineerings the most?

New York City offers the highest median Director of Engineering salary at $402K per year among the cities we track. However, high-cost cities like San Francisco and New York often have lower purchasing power once cost of living is factored in.

How fast are Director of Engineering salaries growing?

Director of Engineering salaries are growing at 6.5% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.

Technology65% remote-eligible+6.5% YoY growth

Director of Engineering Salary
by City (2026)

Lead engineering teams, set technical direction, and drive product development. National median: $215K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$215K

Top 10% earn

$345K

Entry level

$168K

Salary growth

+6.5%/yr

Director of Engineering salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
New York City, NY	$314K	$402K	$509K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$311K	$398K	$503K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$311K	$398K	$503K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$294K	$376K	$476K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$289K	$370K	$468K	172	9.3%
San Francisco, CA	$277K	$355K	$449K	224	9.3%
Yonkers, NY	$277K	$355K	$449K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$277K	$355K	$449K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$272K	$348K	$441K	162	None ✓
San Jose, CA	$265K	$340K	$430K	210	9.3%
Stamford, CT	$265K	$340K	$430K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$260K	$333K	$422K	155	11%
Santa Ana, CA	$252K	$323K	$408K	150	9.3%
Oakland, CA	$249K	$318K	$403K	185	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$249K	$318K	$403K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$249K	$318K	$403K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$244K	$312K	$394K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$244K	$312K	$394K	145	10.75%
Seattle, WA	$239K	$305K	$386K	150	None ✓
Washington, DC	$235K	$301K	$381K	152	8.5%
Paterson, NJ	$235K	$301K	$381K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$232K	$297K	$375K	138	9.3%
Boston, MA	$232K	$297K	$375K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$232K	$297K	$375K	162	10.75%
Edison, NJ	$232K	$297K	$375K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$232K	$297K	$375K	138	None ✓
Los Angeles, CA	$227K	$290K	$367K	163	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$227K	$290K	$367K	148	5.75%
Newark, NJ	$222K	$284K	$359K	155	10.75%
San Diego, CA	$218K	$280K	$354K	148	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$215K	$275K	$348K	155	9.3%
Austin, TX	$205K	$262K	$332K	110	None ✓
Portland, OR	$205K	$262K	$332K	130	9.9%
New Haven, CT	$205K	$262K	$332K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$202K	$258K	$326K	120	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$198K	$254K	$321K	128	9.3%
Riverside, CA	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	4.95%
Tacoma, WA	$198K	$254K	$321K	128	None ✓
Vancouver, WA	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	None ✓
Denver, CO	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	4.55%
Lowell, MA	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	5.99%
Plano, TX	$193K	$247K	$313K	105	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$193K	$247K	$313K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$193K	$247K	$313K	115	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$193K	$247K	$313K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$193K	$247K	$313K	118	2.5%
Lakewood, CO	$193K	$247K	$313K	115	4.55%
Worcester, MA	$193K	$247K	$313K	120	5%
Ann Arbor, MI	$193K	$247K	$313K	115	4.25%
Salt Lake City, UT	$193K	$247K	$313K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$193K	$247K	$313K	115	5.75%
Frederick, MD	$193K	$247K	$313K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$193K	$247K	$313K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$193K	$247K	$313K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$193K	$247K	$313K	115	5.99%
Honolulu, HI	$193K	$247K	$313K	192	11%
Dallas, TX	$188K	$241K	$305K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$188K	$241K	$305K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$188K	$241K	$305K	123	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$188K	$241K	$305K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$188K	$241K	$305K	112	4.55%
Durham, NC	$188K	$241K	$305K	100	4.75%
Cary, NC	$188K	$241K	$305K	112	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$188K	$241K	$305K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$188K	$241K	$305K	106	6.8%
Aurora, CO	$185K	$237K	$299K	112	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$185K	$237K	$299K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$185K	$237K	$299K	102	4.75%
Eugene, OR	$185K	$237K	$299K	110	9.9%
Provo, UT	$185K	$237K	$299K	100	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$185K	$237K	$299K	118	6.99%
Anchorage, AK	$185K	$237K	$299K	128	None ✓
Irving, TX	$181K	$232K	$294K	97	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$181K	$232K	$294K	108	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$181K	$232K	$294K	118	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$181K	$232K	$294K	105	2.5%
Gilbert, AZ	$181K	$232K	$294K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$181K	$232K	$294K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$181K	$232K	$294K	108	4.55%
St. Paul, MN	$181K	$232K	$294K	104	6.8%
Boise, ID	$181K	$232K	$294K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$181K	$232K	$294K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$176K	$226K	$286K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$176K	$226K	$286K	93	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$176K	$226K	$286K	105	9.3%
Tampa, FL	$176K	$226K	$286K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$176K	$226K	$286K	100	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$176K	$226K	$286K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$176K	$226K	$286K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$176K	$226K	$286K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$176K	$226K	$286K	90	3.07%
Salem, OR	$176K	$226K	$286K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$176K	$226K	$286K	105	None ✓
Reno, NV	$176K	$226K	$286K	108	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$176K	$226K	$286K	105	5.8%
Arlington, TX	$171K	$219K	$277K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$171K	$219K	$277K	91	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$171K	$219K	$277K	102	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$171K	$219K	$277K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$171K	$219K	$277K	88	5%
Missoula, MT	$171K	$219K	$277K	102	6.75%
Denton, TX	$168K	$215K	$272K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$168K	$215K	$272K	100	9.3%
St. Petersburg, FL	$168K	$215K	$272K	105	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$168K	$215K	$272K	100	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$168K	$215K	$272K	98	2.5%
Peoria, AZ	$168K	$215K	$272K	100	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$168K	$215K	$272K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$168K	$215K	$272K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$168K	$215K	$272K	102	5.3%
Rochester, MN	$168K	$215K	$272K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$168K	$215K	$272K	100	4.85%
Charleston, SC	$168K	$215K	$272K	105	6.5%
Overland Park, KS	$168K	$215K	$272K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$168K	$215K	$272K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	None ✓
Colorado Springs, CO	$165K	$211K	$267K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	5.75%
Chesapeake, VA	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$165K	$211K	$267K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$165K	$211K	$267K	102	None ✓
North Las Vegas, NV	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	7.15%
Cincinnati, OH	$161K	$206K	$261K	88	3.99%
St. Louis, MO	$161K	$206K	$261K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$161K	$206K	$261K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$161K	$206K	$261K	90	5.3%
Fresno, CA	$160K	$204K	$258K	102	9.3%
Bakersfield, CA	$160K	$204K	$258K	95	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$160K	$204K	$258K	90	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$160K	$204K	$258K	93	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$160K	$204K	$258K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$160K	$204K	$258K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$160K	$204K	$258K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$160K	$204K	$258K	95	5.75%
Detroit, MI	$160K	$204K	$258K	82	4.25%
Allentown, PA	$160K	$204K	$258K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$160K	$204K	$258K	95	6.5%
San Antonio, TX	$155K	$198K	$250K	87	None ✓
Midland, TX	$155K	$198K	$250K	92	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$155K	$198K	$250K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$155K	$198K	$250K	95	None ✓
Athens, GA	$155K	$198K	$250K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$155K	$198K	$250K	92	6.8%
Louisville, KY	$155K	$198K	$250K	85	5%
Greenville, SC	$155K	$198K	$250K	92	6.5%
Des Moines, IA	$155K	$198K	$250K	88	4.82%
Cheyenne, WY	$155K	$198K	$250K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$151K	$194K	$245K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$151K	$194K	$245K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$151K	$194K	$245K	90	4.95%
Cleveland, OH	$151K	$194K	$245K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$151K	$194K	$245K	90	4.25%
Sterling Heights, MI	$151K	$194K	$245K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$151K	$194K	$245K	90	5.3%
New Orleans, LA	$151K	$194K	$245K	92	6%
Omaha, NE	$151K	$194K	$245K	88	5.84%
Fargo, ND	$151K	$194K	$245K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$148K	$189K	$239K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$148K	$189K	$239K	92	5.75%
Greensboro, NC	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	4.75%
Memphis, TN	$148K	$189K	$239K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$148K	$189K	$239K	85	None ✓
Chattanooga, TN	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	None ✓
Green Bay, WI	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	5%
Birmingham, AL	$148K	$189K	$239K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$148K	$189K	$239K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	5.9%
Great Falls, MT	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$148K	$189K	$239K	88	None ✓
Corpus Christi, TX	$143K	$183K	$231K	84	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	5.3%
Tulsa, OK	$143K	$183K	$231K	80	4.75%
Lafayette, LA	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	4.82%
Wichita, KS	$143K	$183K	$231K	82	5.7%
Kansas City, KS	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$143K	$183K	$231K	85	4.9%
El Paso, TX	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	4.82%
Little Rock, AR	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$134K	$172K	$218K	78	None ✓
Killeen, TX	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$134K	$172K	$218K	80	5%
Abilene, TX	$131K	$168K	$212K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$131K	$168K	$212K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$131K	$168K	$212K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$131K	$168K	$212K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$131K	$168K	$212K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$131K	$168K	$212K	78	6.5%
Laredo, TX	$126K	$161K	$204K	76	None ✓
Brownsville, TX	$126K	$161K	$204K	75	None ✓
Fort Smith, AR	$126K	$161K	$204K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$126K	$161K	$204K	75	6.5%

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $215K Director of Engineering salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Director of Engineering Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Director of Engineering is $215,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $168,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $272,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Director of Engineerings nationally earn $345,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in CS or Engineering; 10+ years engineering; management experience. This role is 65% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Director of Engineering compensation is growing at 6.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Director of Engineerings significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Director of Engineering Salaryby City (2026)