TechnologyUpdated Q1 2026

Director of Engineering Salary
in Alexandria, VA

Lead engineering teams, set technical direction, and drive product development. Median salary in Alexandria: $312K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$312K
per year
Take-home: $202K

Salary range in Alexandria

Entry level (25th)$244,000
Median (50th)$312,000
Senior (75th)$394,000
Top earner (90th)$500,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Alexandria, Virginia. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Alexandria

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

45% premium vs national median

Director of Engineerings in Alexandria earn approximately 45% higher than the US national median for this role — a $97,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Alexandria's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Strong 6.5% annual wage growth

This role's national salaries are growing at 6.5% year-over-year, well above the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. If that pace holds, the Alexandria median reaches $427,467 in five years.

65% remote-eligible

This role is 65% remote-eligible nationally according to job-posting analysis, which significantly expands the job market for Alexandria-based Director of Engineerings. Many Alexandria professionals in this role are paid on the locality scale of their employer's HQ rather than Alexandria's local rate — verify which scale your offer references before negotiating.

Key facts for Alexandria

Median salary
$312K
annual
Take-home pay
$202K
after fed/state tax
COL index
145
100 = US avg
State income tax
5.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$2,400
per month
YoY growth
+6.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Alexandria Director of Engineering to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $312K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Alexandria

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Director of Engineering salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$261K$284K$307K$330K$353K201920212023202520272029
2026
$320K
projected
2027
$328K
projected
2028
$336K
projected
2029
$344K
projected
2030
$353K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$312,000+$0
2028 projected$312,000+$0
2029 projected$312,000+$0
2030 projected$312,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Director of Engineering Salary in Alexandria, Virginia: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Director of Engineering salary in Alexandria, VA is $312,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Alexandria–VA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Director of Engineering in Alexandria

Entry-level Director of Engineerings in Alexandria with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $244,000 and $312,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $312,000 to $394,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $394,000 to $500,000 or more.

Cost of living in Alexandria for Director of Engineerings

Alexandria has a cost of living index of 145 compared to the US national average of 100. Alexandria's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Virginia has a 5.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Director of Engineering

Bachelor's in CS or Engineering; 10+ years engineering; management experience. This role is 65% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Alexandria-based professionals.

Director of Engineering salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Alexandria (current)$312K145
Virginia Beach$211K98
Norfolk$204K95
Chesapeake$211K98
Richmond$215K98
Newport News$204K95