Technology65% remote-eligible+8.5% YoY growth

Director of Data Salary
by City (2026)

Lead data engineering, analytics, and data science teams and strategy. National median: $192K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$192K

Top 10% earn

$318K

Entry level

$148K

Salary growth

+8.5%/yr

Director of Data salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$244K	$317K	$409K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$234K	$303K	$392K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$220K	$286K	$369K	187	6.85%
Oakland, CA	$219K	$284K	$367K	185	9.3%
Cambridge, MA	$219K	$284K	$366K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$219K	$284K	$366K	185	11%
Seattle, WA	$210K	$273K	$352K	150	None ✓
Bellevue, WA	$211K	$273K	$353K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$208K	$270K	$349K	172	9.3%
Washington, DC	$207K	$269K	$347K	152	8.5%
Boston, MA	$204K	$265K	$342K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$204K	$265K	$342K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$203K	$263K	$340K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$203K	$263K	$340K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$200K	$260K	$336K	162	None ✓
Los Angeles, CA	$200K	$259K	$335K	163	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$200K	$259K	$335K	148	5.75%
Stamford, CT	$197K	$256K	$330K	158	6.99%
Newark, NJ	$195K	$253K	$327K	155	10.75%
Hilo, HI	$195K	$252K	$326K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$192K	$250K	$322K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$191K	$247K	$319K	150	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$189K	$246K	$317K	155	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$189K	$245K	$317K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$189K	$245K	$317K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$186K	$242K	$312K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$186K	$242K	$312K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$182K	$237K	$306K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$181K	$235K	$303K	138	9.3%
Edison, NJ	$181K	$235K	$303K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$181K	$235K	$303K	138	None ✓
Austin, TX	$181K	$234K	$303K	110	None ✓
Portland, OR	$181K	$234K	$303K	130	9.9%
Sacramento, CA	$175K	$227K	$293K	128	9.3%
Tacoma, WA	$175K	$227K	$293K	128	None ✓
Denver, CO	$175K	$227K	$293K	118	4.55%
Plano, TX	$170K	$221K	$285K	105	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$170K	$221K	$285K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$170K	$221K	$285K	118	2.5%
Worcester, MA	$170K	$221K	$285K	120	5%
Salt Lake City, UT	$170K	$221K	$285K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$170K	$221K	$285K	115	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$170K	$221K	$285K	192	11%
New Haven, CT	$168K	$218K	$282K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$167K	$216K	$279K	120	None ✓
Dallas, TX	$166K	$215K	$278K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$166K	$215K	$278K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$166K	$215K	$278K	123	None ✓
Durham, NC	$166K	$215K	$278K	100	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$166K	$215K	$278K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$166K	$215K	$278K	106	6.8%
Frisco, TX	$165K	$214K	$276K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$165K	$214K	$276K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$165K	$214K	$276K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$165K	$214K	$276K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$165K	$214K	$276K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$165K	$214K	$276K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$165K	$214K	$276K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$165K	$214K	$276K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$165K	$214K	$276K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$165K	$214K	$276K	118	5.99%
Hialeah, FL	$163K	$211K	$272K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$163K	$211K	$272K	115	None ✓
Aurora, CO	$163K	$211K	$273K	112	4.55%
Lakewood, CO	$163K	$211K	$272K	115	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$163K	$211K	$273K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$163K	$211K	$273K	102	4.75%
Ann Arbor, MI	$163K	$211K	$272K	115	4.25%
Provo, UT	$163K	$211K	$273K	100	4.85%
Frederick, MD	$163K	$211K	$272K	115	5.75%
Hartford, CT	$163K	$211K	$273K	118	6.99%
Portland, ME	$163K	$211K	$272K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$163K	$211K	$272K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$163K	$211K	$272K	115	5.99%
Anchorage, AK	$163K	$211K	$273K	128	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$160K	$208K	$268K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$160K	$208K	$268K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$160K	$208K	$268K	112	4.75%
Irving, TX	$160K	$207K	$268K	97	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$160K	$207K	$268K	118	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$160K	$207K	$268K	105	2.5%
St. Paul, MN	$160K	$207K	$268K	104	6.8%
Eugene, OR	$159K	$206K	$266K	110	9.9%
Round Rock, TX	$157K	$204K	$263K	108	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$157K	$204K	$263K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$157K	$204K	$263K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$157K	$204K	$263K	108	4.55%
Boise, ID	$157K	$204K	$263K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$157K	$204K	$263K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$155K	$202K	$260K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$155K	$202K	$260K	93	None ✓
Tampa, FL	$155K	$202K	$260K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$155K	$202K	$260K	100	2.5%
Charlotte, NC	$155K	$202K	$260K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$155K	$202K	$260K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$155K	$202K	$260K	90	3.07%
Reno, NV	$155K	$202K	$260K	108	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$154K	$200K	$259K	105	9.3%
Springfield, MA	$154K	$200K	$259K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$154K	$200K	$259K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$154K	$200K	$259K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$154K	$200K	$259K	105	5.8%
Carrollton, TX	$152K	$197K	$255K	102	None ✓
Missoula, MT	$152K	$197K	$255K	102	6.75%
Arlington, TX	$151K	$196K	$253K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$151K	$196K	$253K	91	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$151K	$196K	$253K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$151K	$196K	$253K	88	5%
Denton, TX	$150K	$195K	$252K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$150K	$195K	$252K	100	9.3%
Cape Coral, FL	$150K	$195K	$252K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$150K	$195K	$252K	100	2.5%
Rochester, MN	$150K	$195K	$252K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$150K	$195K	$252K	100	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$150K	$195K	$252K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$150K	$195K	$252K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$149K	$193K	$249K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$149K	$193K	$249K	98	None ✓
Chesapeake, VA	$149K	$193K	$249K	98	5.75%
North Las Vegas, NV	$149K	$193K	$249K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$149K	$193K	$249K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$149K	$193K	$249K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$149K	$193K	$249K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$149K	$193K	$249K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$149K	$193K	$249K	98	7.15%
St. Petersburg, FL	$148K	$192K	$248K	105	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$148K	$192K	$248K	98	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$148K	$192K	$248K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$148K	$192K	$248K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$148K	$192K	$248K	102	5.3%
Charleston, SC	$148K	$192K	$248K	105	6.5%
Bakersfield, CA	$146K	$190K	$245K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$146K	$190K	$245K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$146K	$190K	$245K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$146K	$190K	$245K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$146K	$190K	$245K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$146K	$190K	$245K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$146K	$190K	$245K	95	6.5%
Colorado Springs, CO	$145K	$188K	$243K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$145K	$188K	$243K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$145K	$188K	$243K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$145K	$188K	$243K	102	None ✓
Midland, TX	$144K	$187K	$241K	92	None ✓
Athens, GA	$144K	$187K	$241K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$144K	$187K	$241K	92	6.8%
Greenville, SC	$144K	$187K	$241K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$144K	$187K	$241K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$142K	$185K	$239K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$142K	$185K	$239K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$142K	$185K	$239K	90	4.95%
Sterling Heights, MI	$142K	$185K	$239K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$142K	$185K	$239K	90	5.3%
Fargo, ND	$142K	$185K	$239K	90	2.5%
Cincinnati, OH	$142K	$184K	$238K	88	3.99%
St. Louis, MO	$142K	$184K	$238K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$142K	$184K	$238K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$142K	$184K	$238K	90	5.3%
Pasadena, TX	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	None ✓
Green Bay, WI	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$141K	$183K	$236K	88	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$141K	$182K	$236K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$141K	$182K	$236K	90	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$141K	$182K	$236K	93	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$141K	$182K	$236K	82	4.25%
Beaumont, TX	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$138K	$180K	$232K	85	4.9%
San Antonio, TX	$136K	$177K	$228K	87	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$136K	$177K	$228K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$136K	$177K	$228K	95	None ✓
Louisville, KY	$136K	$177K	$228K	85	5%
Des Moines, IA	$136K	$177K	$228K	88	4.82%
Amarillo, TX	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$136K	$176K	$228K	82	4.82%
Killeen, TX	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$134K	$174K	$225K	80	5%
Cleveland, OH	$133K	$173K	$223K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$133K	$173K	$223K	90	4.25%
New Orleans, LA	$133K	$173K	$223K	92	6%
Omaha, NE	$133K	$173K	$223K	88	5.84%
Abilene, TX	$133K	$172K	$222K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$133K	$172K	$222K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$133K	$172K	$222K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$133K	$172K	$222K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$133K	$172K	$222K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$133K	$172K	$222K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$130K	$169K	$218K	75	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$130K	$169K	$218K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$130K	$169K	$218K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$130K	$169K	$218K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$130K	$169K	$218K	85	None ✓
Birmingham, AL	$130K	$169K	$218K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$130K	$169K	$218K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$130K	$169K	$218K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$130K	$169K	$218K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$130K	$169K	$218K	88	5.9%
Fort Smith, AR	$130K	$169K	$218K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$130K	$169K	$218K	75	6.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$126K	$163K	$211K	84	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$126K	$163K	$211K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$126K	$163K	$211K	82	5.7%
El Paso, TX	$121K	$157K	$203K	82	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$121K	$157K	$203K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$118K	$154K	$198K	78	None ✓
Laredo, TX	$111K	$144K	$186K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $192K Director of Data 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 Data Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Director of Data is $192,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $148,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $248,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Director of Datas nationally earn $318,000+.

Education and requirements

Master's in Data Science or CS; 10+ years data 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 Data compensation is growing at 8.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Director of Datas significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Director of Data salary FAQ

How much does a Director of Data make?

The median Director of Data salary in the US is $192,000 per year — about $92/hour. Most earn between $148,000 (25th percentile) and $248,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Director of Data?

Entry-level Director of Data positions typically start around $148,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Director of Datas earn?

The top 10% of Director of Datas earn $318,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Director of Datas the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Director of Data salary at $317K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Director of Data salaries going up?

Yes — Director of Data pay is growing about 8.5% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.

Director of Data Salaryby City (2026)