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
San Francisco, CA	$277K	$355K	$449K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$265K	$340K	$430K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$250K	$320K	$405K	187	6.85%
Oakland, CA	$249K	$318K	$403K	185	9.3%
Cambridge, MA	$248K	$318K	$402K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$248K	$318K	$402K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$239K	$306K	$387K	175	None ✓
Seattle, WA	$239K	$305K	$386K	150	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$236K	$303K	$383K	172	9.3%
Washington, DC	$235K	$301K	$381K	152	8.5%
Boston, MA	$232K	$297K	$375K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$232K	$297K	$375K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$230K	$294K	$372K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$230K	$294K	$372K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$227K	$291K	$368K	162	None ✓
Los Angeles, CA	$227K	$290K	$367K	163	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$227K	$290K	$367K	148	5.75%
Stamford, CT	$224K	$286K	$362K	158	6.99%
Newark, NJ	$222K	$284K	$359K	155	10.75%
Hilo, HI	$221K	$283K	$358K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$218K	$280K	$354K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$216K	$277K	$350K	150	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$215K	$275K	$348K	155	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$215K	$275K	$347K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$215K	$275K	$347K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$212K	$271K	$343K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$212K	$271K	$343K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$207K	$265K	$335K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$205K	$263K	$333K	138	9.3%
Edison, NJ	$205K	$263K	$333K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$205K	$263K	$333K	138	None ✓
Austin, TX	$205K	$262K	$332K	110	None ✓
Portland, OR	$205K	$262K	$332K	130	9.9%
Sacramento, CA	$198K	$254K	$321K	128	9.3%
Tacoma, WA	$198K	$254K	$321K	128	None ✓
Denver, CO	$198K	$254K	$321K	118	4.55%
Plano, TX	$193K	$247K	$313K	105	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$193K	$247K	$313K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$193K	$247K	$313K	118	2.5%
Worcester, MA	$193K	$247K	$313K	120	5%
Salt Lake City, UT	$193K	$247K	$313K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$193K	$247K	$313K	115	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$193K	$247K	$313K	192	11%
New Haven, CT	$191K	$244K	$309K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$189K	$242K	$306K	120	None ✓
Dallas, TX	$188K	$241K	$305K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$188K	$241K	$305K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$188K	$241K	$305K	123	None ✓
Durham, NC	$188K	$241K	$305K	100	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$188K	$241K	$305K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$188K	$241K	$305K	106	6.8%
Frisco, TX	$187K	$240K	$303K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$187K	$240K	$303K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$187K	$240K	$303K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$187K	$240K	$303K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$187K	$240K	$303K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$187K	$240K	$303K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$187K	$240K	$303K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$187K	$240K	$303K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$187K	$240K	$303K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$187K	$240K	$303K	118	5.99%
Aurora, CO	$185K	$237K	$299K	112	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$185K	$237K	$299K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$185K	$237K	$299K	102	4.75%
Provo, UT	$185K	$237K	$299K	100	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$185K	$237K	$299K	118	6.99%
Anchorage, AK	$185K	$237K	$299K	128	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$184K	$236K	$299K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$184K	$236K	$299K	115	None ✓
Lakewood, CO	$184K	$236K	$299K	115	4.55%
Ann Arbor, MI	$184K	$236K	$299K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$184K	$236K	$299K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$184K	$236K	$299K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$184K	$236K	$299K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$184K	$236K	$299K	115	5.99%
Irving, TX	$181K	$232K	$294K	97	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$181K	$232K	$294K	118	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$182K	$232K	$294K	112	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$181K	$232K	$294K	105	2.5%
Fort Collins, CO	$182K	$232K	$294K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$182K	$232K	$294K	112	4.75%
St. Paul, MN	$181K	$232K	$294K	104	6.8%
Eugene, OR	$180K	$230K	$291K	110	9.9%
Round Rock, TX	$178K	$228K	$288K	108	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$178K	$228K	$288K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$178K	$228K	$288K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$178K	$228K	$288K	108	4.55%
Boise, ID	$178K	$228K	$288K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$178K	$228K	$288K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$176K	$226K	$286K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$176K	$226K	$286K	93	None ✓
Tampa, FL	$176K	$226K	$286K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$176K	$226K	$286K	100	2.5%
Charlotte, NC	$176K	$226K	$286K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$176K	$226K	$286K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$176K	$226K	$286K	90	3.07%
Reno, NV	$176K	$226K	$286K	108	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$175K	$224K	$284K	105	9.3%
Springfield, MA	$175K	$224K	$284K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$175K	$224K	$284K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$175K	$224K	$284K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$175K	$224K	$284K	105	5.8%
Carrollton, TX	$173K	$221K	$279K	102	None ✓
Missoula, MT	$173K	$221K	$279K	102	6.75%
Arlington, TX	$171K	$219K	$277K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$171K	$219K	$277K	91	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$171K	$219K	$277K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$171K	$219K	$277K	88	5%
Denton, TX	$171K	$218K	$276K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$171K	$218K	$276K	100	9.3%
Cape Coral, FL	$171K	$218K	$276K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$171K	$218K	$276K	100	2.5%
Rochester, MN	$171K	$218K	$276K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$171K	$218K	$276K	100	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$171K	$218K	$276K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$171K	$218K	$276K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$169K	$216K	$274K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$169K	$216K	$274K	98	None ✓
Chesapeake, VA	$169K	$216K	$274K	98	5.75%
North Las Vegas, NV	$169K	$216K	$274K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$169K	$216K	$274K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$169K	$216K	$274K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$169K	$216K	$274K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$169K	$216K	$274K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$169K	$216K	$274K	98	7.15%
St. Petersburg, FL	$168K	$215K	$272K	105	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$168K	$215K	$272K	98	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%
Charleston, SC	$168K	$215K	$272K	105	6.5%
Bakersfield, CA	$166K	$213K	$269K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$166K	$213K	$269K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$166K	$213K	$269K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$166K	$213K	$269K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$166K	$213K	$269K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$166K	$213K	$269K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$166K	$213K	$269K	95	6.5%
Colorado Springs, CO	$165K	$211K	$267K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$165K	$211K	$267K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$165K	$211K	$267K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$165K	$211K	$267K	102	None ✓
Midland, TX	$163K	$209K	$265K	92	None ✓
Athens, GA	$163K	$209K	$265K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$163K	$209K	$265K	92	6.8%
Greenville, SC	$163K	$209K	$265K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$163K	$209K	$265K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$162K	$207K	$262K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$162K	$207K	$262K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$162K	$207K	$262K	90	4.95%
Sterling Heights, MI	$162K	$207K	$262K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$162K	$207K	$262K	90	5.3%
Fargo, ND	$162K	$207K	$262K	90	2.5%
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%
Pasadena, TX	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$160K	$204K	$258K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$160K	$204K	$258K	90	6.85%
Syracuse, NY	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$160K	$204K	$258K	93	None ✓
Gainesville, FL	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$160K	$204K	$258K	82	4.25%
Green Bay, WI	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$160K	$204K	$259K	88	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$157K	$201K	$254K	85	4.9%
San Antonio, TX	$155K	$198K	$250K	87	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$155K	$198K	$250K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$155K	$198K	$250K	95	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	3.23%
Louisville, KY	$155K	$198K	$250K	85	5%
Mobile, AL	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	4.75%
Des Moines, IA	$155K	$198K	$250K	88	4.82%
Davenport, IA	$154K	$198K	$250K	82	4.82%
Killeen, TX	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$153K	$195K	$247K	80	5%
Cleveland, OH	$151K	$194K	$245K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$151K	$194K	$245K	90	4.25%
New Orleans, LA	$151K	$194K	$245K	92	6%
Omaha, NE	$151K	$194K	$245K	88	5.84%
Abilene, TX	$151K	$193K	$244K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$151K	$193K	$244K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$151K	$193K	$244K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$151K	$193K	$244K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$151K	$193K	$244K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$151K	$193K	$244K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$148K	$189K	$240K	75	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$148K	$189K	$239K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$148K	$189K	$239K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$148K	$189K	$239K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$148K	$189K	$239K	85	None ✓
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%
Fort Smith, AR	$148K	$189K	$240K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$148K	$189K	$240K	75	6.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$143K	$183K	$231K	84	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$143K	$183K	$231K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$143K	$183K	$231K	82	5.7%
El Paso, TX	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$138K	$176K	$223K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$134K	$172K	$218K	78	None ✓
Laredo, TX	$126K	$161K	$204K	76	None ✓

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 salary FAQ

How much does a Director of Engineering make?

The median Director of Engineering salary in the US is $215,000 per year — about $103/hour. Most earn between $168,000 (25th percentile) and $272,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Director of Engineering?

Entry-level Director of Engineering positions typically start around $168,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

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

The top 10% of Director of Engineerings earn $345,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Director of Engineerings the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Director of Engineering salary at $355K 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 Engineering salaries going up?

Yes — Director of Engineering pay is growing about 6.5% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.

Director of Engineering Salaryby City (2026)