Technology60% remote-eligible+6% YoY growth

VP of Engineering Salary
by City (2026)

Executive responsible for all engineering operations, architecture, and technical strategy. National median: $298K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$298K

Top 10% earn

$485K

Entry level

$230K

Salary growth

+6%/yr

VP of Engineering salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$380K	$492K	$627K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$363K	$471K	$600K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$342K	$443K	$565K	187	6.85%
Oakland, CA	$340K	$441K	$562K	185	9.3%
Cambridge, MA	$340K	$440K	$561K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$340K	$440K	$561K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$327K	$424K	$541K	175	None ✓
Seattle, WA	$327K	$423K	$540K	150	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$324K	$419K	$535K	172	9.3%
Washington, DC	$322K	$417K	$532K	152	8.5%
Boston, MA	$317K	$411K	$524K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$317K	$411K	$524K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$315K	$408K	$520K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$315K	$408K	$520K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$311K	$403K	$514K	162	None ✓
Los Angeles, CA	$311K	$402K	$513K	163	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$311K	$402K	$513K	148	5.75%
Stamford, CT	$306K	$397K	$506K	158	6.99%
Newark, NJ	$304K	$393K	$502K	155	10.75%
Hilo, HI	$302K	$392K	$500K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$299K	$387K	$494K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$296K	$384K	$489K	150	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$294K	$381K	$486K	155	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$294K	$381K	$485K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$294K	$381K	$485K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$290K	$375K	$479K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$290K	$375K	$479K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$284K	$367K	$469K	140	10.75%
Austin, TX	$281K	$364K	$464K	110	None ✓
Chula Vista, CA	$281K	$364K	$465K	138	9.3%
Portland, OR	$281K	$364K	$464K	130	9.9%
Edison, NJ	$281K	$364K	$465K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$281K	$364K	$465K	138	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$271K	$352K	$448K	128	9.3%
Tacoma, WA	$271K	$352K	$448K	128	None ✓
Denver, CO	$271K	$352K	$448K	118	4.55%
Plano, TX	$265K	$343K	$437K	105	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$265K	$343K	$437K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$265K	$343K	$437K	118	2.5%
Worcester, MA	$265K	$343K	$437K	120	5%
Salt Lake City, UT	$265K	$343K	$437K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$265K	$343K	$437K	115	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$265K	$343K	$437K	192	11%
New Haven, CT	$261K	$339K	$432K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$259K	$335K	$428K	120	None ✓
Dallas, TX	$258K	$334K	$426K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$258K	$334K	$426K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$258K	$334K	$426K	123	None ✓
Durham, NC	$258K	$334K	$426K	100	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$258K	$334K	$426K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$258K	$334K	$426K	106	6.8%
Frisco, TX	$256K	$332K	$423K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$256K	$332K	$423K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$256K	$332K	$423K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$256K	$332K	$423K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$256K	$332K	$423K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$256K	$332K	$423K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$256K	$332K	$423K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$256K	$332K	$423K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$256K	$332K	$423K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$256K	$332K	$423K	118	5.99%
Aurora, CO	$253K	$328K	$418K	112	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$253K	$328K	$418K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$253K	$328K	$418K	102	4.75%
Provo, UT	$253K	$328K	$418K	100	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$253K	$328K	$418K	118	6.99%
Anchorage, AK	$253K	$328K	$418K	128	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$253K	$327K	$417K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$253K	$327K	$417K	115	None ✓
Lakewood, CO	$253K	$327K	$417K	115	4.55%
Ann Arbor, MI	$253K	$327K	$417K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$253K	$327K	$417K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$253K	$327K	$417K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$253K	$327K	$417K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$253K	$327K	$417K	115	5.99%
Irving, TX	$248K	$322K	$410K	97	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$248K	$322K	$410K	118	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$249K	$322K	$411K	112	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$248K	$322K	$410K	105	2.5%
Fort Collins, CO	$249K	$322K	$411K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$249K	$322K	$411K	112	4.75%
St. Paul, MN	$248K	$322K	$410K	104	6.8%
Eugene, OR	$246K	$319K	$407K	110	9.9%
Round Rock, TX	$244K	$316K	$403K	108	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$244K	$316K	$403K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$244K	$316K	$403K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$244K	$316K	$403K	108	4.55%
Boise, ID	$244K	$316K	$403K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$244K	$316K	$403K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$242K	$313K	$399K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$242K	$313K	$399K	93	None ✓
Tampa, FL	$242K	$313K	$399K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$242K	$313K	$399K	100	2.5%
Charlotte, NC	$242K	$313K	$399K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$242K	$313K	$399K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$242K	$313K	$399K	90	3.07%
Reno, NV	$242K	$313K	$399K	108	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$240K	$311K	$396K	105	9.3%
Springfield, MA	$240K	$311K	$396K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$240K	$311K	$396K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$240K	$311K	$396K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$240K	$311K	$396K	105	5.8%
Carrollton, TX	$236K	$306K	$390K	102	None ✓
Missoula, MT	$236K	$306K	$390K	102	6.75%
Arlington, TX	$235K	$304K	$388K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$235K	$304K	$388K	91	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$235K	$304K	$388K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$235K	$304K	$388K	88	5%
Denton, TX	$234K	$303K	$386K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$234K	$303K	$386K	100	9.3%
Cape Coral, FL	$234K	$303K	$386K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$234K	$303K	$386K	100	2.5%
Rochester, MN	$234K	$303K	$386K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$234K	$303K	$386K	100	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$234K	$303K	$386K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$234K	$303K	$386K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$231K	$300K	$382K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$231K	$300K	$382K	98	None ✓
Chesapeake, VA	$231K	$300K	$382K	98	5.75%
North Las Vegas, NV	$231K	$300K	$382K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$231K	$300K	$382K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$231K	$300K	$382K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$231K	$300K	$382K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$231K	$300K	$382K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$231K	$300K	$382K	98	7.15%
St. Petersburg, FL	$230K	$298K	$380K	105	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$230K	$298K	$380K	98	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$230K	$298K	$380K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$230K	$298K	$380K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$230K	$298K	$380K	102	5.3%
Charleston, SC	$230K	$298K	$380K	105	6.5%
Bakersfield, CA	$227K	$295K	$376K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$227K	$295K	$376K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$227K	$295K	$376K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$227K	$295K	$376K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$227K	$295K	$376K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$227K	$295K	$376K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$227K	$295K	$376K	95	6.5%
Colorado Springs, CO	$225K	$292K	$372K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$225K	$292K	$372K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$225K	$292K	$372K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$225K	$292K	$372K	102	None ✓
Midland, TX	$224K	$290K	$370K	92	None ✓
Athens, GA	$224K	$290K	$370K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$224K	$290K	$370K	92	6.8%
Greenville, SC	$224K	$290K	$370K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$224K	$290K	$370K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$221K	$287K	$366K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$221K	$287K	$366K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$221K	$287K	$366K	90	4.95%
Sterling Heights, MI	$221K	$287K	$366K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$221K	$287K	$366K	90	5.3%
Fargo, ND	$221K	$287K	$366K	90	2.5%
Cincinnati, OH	$221K	$286K	$365K	88	3.99%
St. Louis, MO	$221K	$286K	$365K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$221K	$286K	$365K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$221K	$286K	$365K	90	5.3%
Pasadena, TX	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$219K	$283K	$361K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$219K	$283K	$361K	90	6.85%
Syracuse, NY	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$219K	$283K	$361K	93	None ✓
Gainesville, FL	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$219K	$283K	$361K	82	4.25%
Green Bay, WI	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$219K	$283K	$361K	88	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$215K	$279K	$355K	85	4.9%
San Antonio, TX	$212K	$274K	$350K	87	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$212K	$274K	$350K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$212K	$274K	$350K	95	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	3.23%
Louisville, KY	$212K	$274K	$350K	85	5%
Mobile, AL	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	4.75%
Des Moines, IA	$212K	$274K	$350K	88	4.82%
Davenport, IA	$211K	$274K	$349K	82	4.82%
Killeen, TX	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$209K	$271K	$345K	80	5%
Cleveland, OH	$207K	$268K	$342K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$207K	$268K	$342K	90	4.25%
New Orleans, LA	$207K	$268K	$342K	92	6%
Omaha, NE	$207K	$268K	$342K	88	5.84%
Abilene, TX	$206K	$267K	$341K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$206K	$267K	$341K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$206K	$267K	$341K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$206K	$267K	$341K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$206K	$267K	$341K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$206K	$267K	$341K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$203K	$263K	$335K	75	None ✓
Fort Smith, AR	$203K	$263K	$335K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$203K	$263K	$335K	75	6.5%
Tucson, AZ	$202K	$262K	$334K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$202K	$262K	$334K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$202K	$262K	$334K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$202K	$262K	$334K	85	None ✓
Birmingham, AL	$202K	$262K	$334K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$202K	$262K	$334K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$202K	$262K	$334K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$202K	$262K	$334K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$202K	$262K	$334K	88	5.9%
Corpus Christi, TX	$196K	$253K	$323K	84	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$196K	$253K	$323K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$196K	$253K	$323K	82	5.7%
El Paso, TX	$189K	$244K	$312K	82	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$189K	$244K	$312K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$184K	$238K	$304K	78	None ✓
Laredo, TX	$173K	$224K	$285K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $298K VP 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 →

VP of Engineering Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a VP of Engineering is $298,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $230,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $380,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of VP of Engineerings nationally earn $485,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in CS; MBA preferred; 15+ years engineering leadership. This role is 60% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

VP of Engineering compensation is growing at 6% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified VP of Engineerings significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

VP of Engineering salary FAQ

How much does a VP of Engineering make?

The median VP of Engineering salary in the US is $298,000 per year — about $143/hour. Most earn between $230,000 (25th percentile) and $380,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a VP of Engineering?

Entry-level VP of Engineering positions typically start around $230,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

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

The top 10% of VP of Engineerings earn $485,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays VP of Engineerings the most?

San Francisco has the highest median VP of Engineering salary at $492K 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 VP of Engineering salaries going up?

Yes — VP of Engineering pay is growing about 6% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.

VP of Engineering Salaryby City (2026)