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

The national median Sr. Director of Engineering salary is $258,000 per year. Entry-level positions start around $200,000, while senior professionals earn $418,000 or more.

Which city pays Sr. Director of Engineerings the most?

New York City offers the highest median Sr. Director of Engineering salary at $482K 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 Sr. Director of Engineering salaries growing?

Sr. Director of Engineering salaries are growing at 6.2% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.

Technology62% remote-eligible+6.2% YoY growth

Sr. Director of Engineering Salary
by City (2026)

Senior engineering leader overseeing multiple teams and major technical initiatives. National median: $258K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$258K

Top 10% earn

$418K

Entry level

$200K

Salary growth

+6.2%/yr

Sr. Director of Engineering salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
New York City, NY	$374K	$482K	$613K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$370K	$477K	$607K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$370K	$477K	$607K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$350K	$452K	$574K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$344K	$444K	$564K	172	9.3%
San Francisco, CA	$330K	$426K	$541K	224	9.3%
Yonkers, NY	$330K	$426K	$541K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$330K	$426K	$541K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$324K	$418K	$531K	162	None ✓
San Jose, CA	$316K	$408K	$518K	210	9.3%
Stamford, CT	$316K	$408K	$518K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$310K	$400K	$508K	155	11%
Santa Ana, CA	$300K	$387K	$492K	150	9.3%
Oakland, CA	$296K	$382K	$485K	185	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$296K	$382K	$485K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$296K	$382K	$485K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$290K	$374K	$476K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$290K	$374K	$476K	145	10.75%
Seattle, WA	$284K	$366K	$466K	150	None ✓
Washington, DC	$280K	$361K	$459K	152	8.5%
Paterson, NJ	$280K	$361K	$459K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$276K	$356K	$453K	138	9.3%
Boston, MA	$276K	$356K	$453K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$276K	$356K	$453K	162	10.75%
Edison, NJ	$276K	$356K	$453K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$276K	$356K	$453K	138	None ✓
Los Angeles, CA	$270K	$348K	$443K	163	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$270K	$348K	$443K	148	5.75%
Newark, NJ	$264K	$341K	$433K	155	10.75%
San Diego, CA	$260K	$335K	$426K	148	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$256K	$330K	$420K	155	9.3%
Austin, TX	$244K	$315K	$400K	110	None ✓
Portland, OR	$244K	$315K	$400K	130	9.9%
New Haven, CT	$244K	$315K	$400K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$240K	$310K	$394K	120	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$236K	$304K	$387K	128	9.3%
Riverside, CA	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	4.95%
Tacoma, WA	$236K	$304K	$387K	128	None ✓
Vancouver, WA	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	None ✓
Denver, CO	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	4.55%
Lowell, MA	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$236K	$304K	$387K	118	5.99%
Plano, TX	$230K	$297K	$377K	105	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$230K	$297K	$377K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$230K	$297K	$377K	115	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$230K	$297K	$377K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$230K	$297K	$377K	118	2.5%
Lakewood, CO	$230K	$297K	$377K	115	4.55%
Worcester, MA	$230K	$297K	$377K	120	5%
Ann Arbor, MI	$230K	$297K	$377K	115	4.25%
Salt Lake City, UT	$230K	$297K	$377K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$230K	$297K	$377K	115	5.75%
Frederick, MD	$230K	$297K	$377K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$230K	$297K	$377K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$230K	$297K	$377K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$230K	$297K	$377K	115	5.99%
Honolulu, HI	$230K	$297K	$377K	192	11%
Dallas, TX	$224K	$289K	$367K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$224K	$289K	$367K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$224K	$289K	$367K	123	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$224K	$289K	$367K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$224K	$289K	$367K	112	4.55%
Durham, NC	$224K	$289K	$367K	100	4.75%
Cary, NC	$224K	$289K	$367K	112	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$224K	$289K	$367K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$224K	$289K	$367K	106	6.8%
Aurora, CO	$220K	$284K	$361K	112	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$220K	$284K	$361K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$220K	$284K	$361K	102	4.75%
Eugene, OR	$220K	$284K	$361K	110	9.9%
Provo, UT	$220K	$284K	$361K	100	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$220K	$284K	$361K	118	6.99%
Anchorage, AK	$220K	$284K	$361K	128	None ✓
Irving, TX	$216K	$279K	$354K	97	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$216K	$279K	$354K	108	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$216K	$279K	$354K	118	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$216K	$279K	$354K	105	2.5%
Gilbert, AZ	$216K	$279K	$354K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$216K	$279K	$354K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$216K	$279K	$354K	108	4.55%
St. Paul, MN	$216K	$279K	$354K	104	6.8%
Boise, ID	$216K	$279K	$354K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$216K	$279K	$354K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$210K	$271K	$344K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$210K	$271K	$344K	93	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$210K	$271K	$344K	105	9.3%
Tampa, FL	$210K	$271K	$344K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$210K	$271K	$344K	100	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$210K	$271K	$344K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$210K	$271K	$344K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$210K	$271K	$344K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$210K	$271K	$344K	90	3.07%
Salem, OR	$210K	$271K	$344K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$210K	$271K	$344K	105	None ✓
Reno, NV	$210K	$271K	$344K	108	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$210K	$271K	$344K	105	5.8%
Arlington, TX	$204K	$263K	$335K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$204K	$263K	$335K	91	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$204K	$263K	$335K	102	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$204K	$263K	$335K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$204K	$263K	$335K	88	5%
Missoula, MT	$204K	$263K	$335K	102	6.75%
Denton, TX	$200K	$258K	$328K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$200K	$258K	$328K	100	9.3%
St. Petersburg, FL	$200K	$258K	$328K	105	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$200K	$258K	$328K	100	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$200K	$258K	$328K	98	2.5%
Peoria, AZ	$200K	$258K	$328K	100	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$200K	$258K	$328K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$200K	$258K	$328K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$200K	$258K	$328K	102	5.3%
Rochester, MN	$200K	$258K	$328K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$200K	$258K	$328K	100	4.85%
Charleston, SC	$200K	$258K	$328K	105	6.5%
Overland Park, KS	$200K	$258K	$328K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$200K	$258K	$328K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$196K	$253K	$321K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$196K	$253K	$321K	98	None ✓
Colorado Springs, CO	$196K	$253K	$321K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$196K	$253K	$321K	98	5.75%
Chesapeake, VA	$196K	$253K	$321K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$196K	$253K	$321K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$196K	$253K	$321K	102	None ✓
North Las Vegas, NV	$196K	$253K	$321K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$196K	$253K	$321K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$196K	$253K	$321K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$196K	$253K	$321K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$196K	$253K	$321K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$196K	$253K	$321K	98	7.15%
Cincinnati, OH	$192K	$248K	$315K	88	3.99%
St. Louis, MO	$192K	$248K	$315K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$192K	$248K	$315K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$192K	$248K	$315K	90	5.3%
Fresno, CA	$190K	$245K	$312K	102	9.3%
Bakersfield, CA	$190K	$245K	$312K	95	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$190K	$245K	$312K	90	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$190K	$245K	$312K	93	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$190K	$245K	$312K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$190K	$245K	$312K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$190K	$245K	$312K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$190K	$245K	$312K	95	5.75%
Detroit, MI	$190K	$245K	$312K	82	4.25%
Allentown, PA	$190K	$245K	$312K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$190K	$245K	$312K	95	6.5%
San Antonio, TX	$184K	$237K	$302K	87	None ✓
Midland, TX	$184K	$237K	$302K	92	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$184K	$237K	$302K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$184K	$237K	$302K	95	None ✓
Athens, GA	$184K	$237K	$302K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$184K	$237K	$302K	92	6.8%
Louisville, KY	$184K	$237K	$302K	85	5%
Greenville, SC	$184K	$237K	$302K	92	6.5%
Des Moines, IA	$184K	$237K	$302K	88	4.82%
Cheyenne, WY	$184K	$237K	$302K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$180K	$232K	$295K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$180K	$232K	$295K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$180K	$232K	$295K	90	4.95%
Cleveland, OH	$180K	$232K	$295K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$180K	$232K	$295K	90	4.25%
Sterling Heights, MI	$180K	$232K	$295K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$180K	$232K	$295K	90	5.3%
New Orleans, LA	$180K	$232K	$295K	92	6%
Omaha, NE	$180K	$232K	$295K	88	5.84%
Fargo, ND	$180K	$232K	$295K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$176K	$227K	$289K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$176K	$227K	$289K	92	5.75%
Greensboro, NC	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	4.75%
Memphis, TN	$176K	$227K	$289K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$176K	$227K	$289K	85	None ✓
Chattanooga, TN	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	None ✓
Green Bay, WI	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	5%
Birmingham, AL	$176K	$227K	$289K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$176K	$227K	$289K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	5.9%
Great Falls, MT	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$176K	$227K	$289K	88	None ✓
Corpus Christi, TX	$170K	$219K	$279K	84	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	5.3%
Tulsa, OK	$170K	$219K	$279K	80	4.75%
Lafayette, LA	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	4.82%
Wichita, KS	$170K	$219K	$279K	82	5.7%
Kansas City, KS	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$170K	$219K	$279K	85	4.9%
El Paso, TX	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	4.82%
Little Rock, AR	$164K	$212K	$269K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$160K	$206K	$262K	78	None ✓
Killeen, TX	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$160K	$206K	$262K	80	5%
Abilene, TX	$156K	$201K	$256K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$156K	$201K	$256K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$156K	$201K	$256K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$156K	$201K	$256K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$156K	$201K	$256K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$156K	$201K	$256K	78	6.5%
Laredo, TX	$150K	$194K	$246K	76	None ✓
Brownsville, TX	$150K	$194K	$246K	75	None ✓
Fort Smith, AR	$150K	$194K	$246K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$150K	$194K	$246K	75	6.5%

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $258K Sr. 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 →

Sr. Director of Engineering Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Sr. Director of Engineering is $258,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $200,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $328,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Sr. Director of Engineerings nationally earn $418,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in CS; 13+ years engineering; senior management. This role is 62% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Sr. Director of Engineering compensation is growing at 6.2% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Sr. Director of Engineerings significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Sr. Director of Engineering Salaryby City (2026)