TechnologyUpdated Q1 2026

Sr. Director of Engineering Salary
in Fresno, CA

Senior engineering leader overseeing multiple teams and major technical initiatives. Median salary in Fresno: $245K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$245K
per year
Take-home: $150K

Salary range in Fresno

Entry level (25th)$190,000
Median (50th)$245,000
Senior (75th)$312,000
Top earner (90th)$397,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Fresno, California. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Fresno

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

5% discount vs national median

Sr. Director of Engineerings in Fresno earn approximately 5% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $13,000 discount on annual base salary. Fresno's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 102 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Fresno's cost-of-living index (102), the median Sr. Director of Engineering salary buys the equivalent of $240,196 in a US-average-cost city. That's $17,804 less purchasing power than the national median β€” the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

9.3% state tax = $22,785/yr

California's 9.3% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $22,785 per year at the median salary. A Sr. Director of Engineering relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.

Key facts for Fresno

Median salary
$245K
annual
Take-home pay
$150K
after fed/state tax
COL index
102
100 = US avg
State income tax
9.3%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,200
per month
YoY growth
+6.2%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Fresno Sr. 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 $245K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Fresno

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

HistoricalProjected
Sr. Director of Engineering salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$205K$223K$241K$259K$277K201920212023202520272029
2026
$251K
projected
2027
$257K
projected
2028
$264K
projected
2029
$270K
projected
2030
$277K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$245,000+$0
2028 projected$245,000+$0
2029 projected$245,000+$0
2030 projected$245,000+$0

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

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Sr. Director of Engineering Salary in Fresno, California: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Sr. Director of Engineering salary in Fresno, CA is $245,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Fresno–CA 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 Sr. Director of Engineering in Fresno

Entry-level Sr. Director of Engineerings in Fresno with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $190,000 and $245,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $245,000 to $312,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $312,000 to $397,000 or more.

Cost of living in Fresno for Sr. Director of Engineerings

Fresno has a cost of living index of 102 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Fresno are close to the national average. California has a 9.3% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Sr. Director of Engineering

Bachelor's in CS; 13+ years engineering; senior management. This role is 62% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Fresno-based professionals.

Sr. Director of Engineering salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Fresno (current)$245K102
Los Angeles$348K163
San Diego$335K148
San Jose$408K210
San Francisco$426K224
Sacramento$304K128