Director Engineering Director Engineering Salary in San Francisco, CA

Director Engineering Salary in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Oct 10, 2026
Position
City
Salary

How much does a Director Engineering make in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary for a Director Engineering is $268,550 per year in San Francisco, CA.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Director Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $268,550 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Director Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $22,379 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Director Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $5,164 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Director Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $129 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

If you are thinking about a career as a Director of Engineering in San Francisco, CA, you will be pleased to know that this role comes with a competitive salary. The average yearly salary for a Director of Engineering in this area is around $268,550. This figure reflects the city's strong demand for skilled engineering leaders.

To put this in perspective, here are some common salary ranges for Director of Engineering positions in San Francisco:

  • The lowest 10% earn about $150,000 per year.
  • The next 20% earn between $173,817 and $221,450 per year.
  • The middle 50% earn between $221,450 and $292,899 per year.
  • The highest 20% earn between $292,899 and $364,349 per year.

These numbers show the potential for a rewarding career in engineering management in San Francisco.

Director Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA
View all Director Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA

What are the highest paying cities for a Director Engineering near San Francisco, CA?

For those seeking Director Engineering roles, cities near San Francisco offer strong opportunities. San Mateo tops the list with an average salary of $350,598. Nearby cities like Mountain View and Menlo Park also stand out, providing competitive salaries over $300,000. Job seekers should consider these locations for potential career growth and financial rewards. High-paying cities like Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and South San Francisco follow closely behind. These areas boast salaries for Director Engineering roles that exceed $270,000. Santa Clara and San Jose also present attractive options, with salaries near $260,000. For those willing to explore further, Fremont and Oakland offer salaries above $230,000.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Director Engineering jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting San Mateo, CA with the highest at $350,598 and Oakland, CA with the lowest at $231,797.

  1. San Mateo, CA
    Average Salary: $350,598
    Working in San Mateo offers a dynamic tech environment. Companies like Exabeam and Dropbox are here. You can lead innovative projects and grow with a supportive team.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in San Mateo, CA


  2. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $303,132
    Mountain View is the home of Google. Leading engineering teams here means working with cutting-edge technology. The culture values creativity and teamwork.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Mountain View, CA


  3. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $302,500
    In Menlo Park, you can lead engineering teams at firms like Facebook. The atmosphere is collaborative, with a focus on innovation. You will work on impactful projects.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  4. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $293,200
    Palo Alto offers a blend of tech and innovation. At companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise, you can guide major projects. The city supports a fast-paced and dynamic work style.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  5. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $278,182
    Sunnyvale has a growing tech scene. Companies like NetApp provide opportunities for leadership. You can work on diverse projects and grow with the company.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  6. South San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $276,690
    South San Francisco is a hub for biotech and tech. At firms like Genentech, you can lead cutting-edge projects. The environment is innovative and collaborative.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in South San Francisco, CA


  7. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $272,102
    Santa Clara is known for its tech industry. Leading engineering teams here, at companies like Intel, means working on big projects. The company culture is forward-thinking and supportive.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  8. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $260,587
    San Jose is the heart of Silicon Valley. Working here means leading projects at major tech firms. The city offers diverse opportunities and a strong tech community.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in San Jose, CA


  9. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $241,700
    Fremont has a growing tech presence. Companies like Tesla are here. Leading engineering teams in this innovative environment means working on exciting projects.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Fremont, CA


  10. Oakland, CA
    Average Salary: $231,797
    Oakland is a growing tech hub. Working here, at firms like Instacart, offers opportunities to lead impactful projects. The city's culture is diverse and inclusive.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Oakland, CA

What are the best paying companies for a Director Engineering in San Francisco, CA?

Salesforce, Autodesk, and Eight Sleep stand out as top employers for Director Engineering roles in San Francisco, CA. These companies offer competitive salaries, with average earnings for directors reaching up to $277,542. Job seekers can find lucrative opportunities and growth in these well-respected firms.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Director Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Salesforce with the highest at $277,542 and Eight Sleep with the lowest at $267,500.

  1. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $277,542
    Salesforce, based in San Francisco, offers exciting opportunities for Director Engineering roles. Salesforce works to build innovative cloud platforms. The company operates globally, with major offices in major tech hubs.


  2. Autodesk
    Average Salary: $269,007
    Autodesk, a prominent player in San Francisco, seeks Directors of Engineering to drive its design and engineering software. Autodesk operates internationally, with key offices in cities like Boston, London, and Tokyo.


  3. Eight Sleep
    Average Salary: $267,500
    Eight Sleep in San Francisco offers top-tier positions for Director Engineering. They focus on creating advanced sleep tracking devices. The company operates in San Francisco and other major tech cities.

Currently 174 Director Engineering job openings, nationwide.

View Director Engineering Jobs in San Francisco, CA

How's the job market for a Director Engineering in the US?

Learn what a Director Engineering does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Director Engineering today.
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Director Engineering
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