TechnologyUpdated Q1 2026

Director of Engineering Salary
in Naperville, IL

Lead engineering teams, set technical direction, and drive product development. Median salary in Naperville: $254K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$254K
per year
Take-home: $166K

Salary range in Naperville

Entry level (25th)$198,000
Median (50th)$254,000
Senior (75th)$321,000
Top earner (90th)$407,000
Data freshness

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

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What the numbers say for Naperville

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

18% premium vs national median

Director of Engineerings in Naperville earn approximately 18% higher than the US national median for this role — a $39,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Naperville'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 Naperville median reaches $348,002 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 Naperville-based Director of Engineerings. Many Naperville professionals in this role are paid on the locality scale of their employer's HQ rather than Naperville's local rate — verify which scale your offer references before negotiating.

Key facts for Naperville

Median salary
$254K
annual
Take-home pay
$166K
after fed/state tax
COL index
118
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.95%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,700
per month
YoY growth
+6.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Naperville 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 $254K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Naperville

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

HistoricalProjected
Director of Engineering salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$213K$232K$250K$269K$287K201920212023202520272029
2026
$260K
projected
2027
$267K
projected
2028
$274K
projected
2029
$280K
projected
2030
$287K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$254,000+$0
2028 projected$254,000+$0
2029 projected$254,000+$0
2030 projected$254,000+$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 Naperville, Illinois: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Director of Engineering salary in Naperville, IL is $254,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Naperville–IL 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 Naperville

Entry-level Director of Engineerings in Naperville with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $198,000 and $254,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $254,000 to $321,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $321,000 to $407,000 or more.

Cost of living in Naperville for Director of Engineerings

Naperville has a cost of living index of 118 compared to the US national average of 100. Naperville's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Illinois has a 4.95% 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 Naperville-based professionals.

Director of Engineering salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Naperville (current)$254K118
Chicago$247K107
Aurora$204K95
Joliet$194K90
Rockford$172K80