Director Engineering Director Engineering Salary in San Francisco, CA

Director Engineering Salary in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Sep 14, 2026
Position
City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Director Engineering is $269,296 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 $269,296 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 $22,441 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 $5,179 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.

In San Francisco, a Director of Engineering can expect a competitive salary. The average yearly salary for this role stands at around $269,296. This figure reflects the high demand for skilled engineering leaders in the tech-driven city.


Salaries can vary based on experience and company. Some top earners in this role can make more than $400,000 annually. Companies in San Francisco often compete for top talent, leading to attractive compensation packages. This makes the area a prime location for those seeking career growth in engineering leadership.

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?

Job seekers looking for Director Engineering positions near San Francisco will find high-paying opportunities in several nearby cities. Mountain View, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto offer average salaries well above $290,000. Sunnyvale and San Jose also provide competitive wages, with averages surpassing $250,000. Santa Clara, Berkeley, Fremont, and Oakland also present solid salary prospects for Director Engineering roles. These cities provide a range of companies and industries, offering stability and attractive compensation packages. Candidates should consider these locations when searching for the best opportunities in the region.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Director Engineering jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting Mountain View, CA with the highest at $303,132 and Oakland, CA with the lowest at $225,227.

  1. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $303,132
    Mountain View offers a vibrant tech scene. You'll work with top companies like Google. Leadership roles here mean shaping the future of tech and innovation.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Mountain View, CA


  2. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $302,500
    In Menlo Park, you'll find a rich environment for engineering leaders. Companies like Facebook offer exciting challenges. Leading a team here means being at the center of tech advancements.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  3. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $293,200
    Palo Alto is a hub for engineering talent. Companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise offer great opportunities. Leading a team in this city means pushing boundaries in technology and innovation.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  4. South San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $276,690
    South San Francisco is home to many biotech and tech companies. Leading an engineering team here means working on cutting-edge projects. Companies like Genentech offer exciting challenges.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in South San Francisco, CA


  5. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $269,525
    Sunnyvale offers a dynamic tech environment. Companies like Adobe provide great opportunities. Leading an engineering team here means shaping the future of creative technology.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  6. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $258,230
    San Jose is a tech powerhouse. Leading engineering roles here mean working with major companies like Intel. You’ll be at the forefront of tech innovation and development.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in San Jose, CA


  7. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $257,366
    Santa Clara offers a strong tech ecosystem. Companies like Apple provide leadership opportunities. Leading an engineering team here means driving significant technological advancements.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  8. Berkeley, CA
    Average Salary: $249,342
    Berkeley is known for its academic and tech influence. Leading engineering roles here mean working with innovative startups and tech companies. The environment is ideal for pushing creative solutions.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Berkeley, CA


  9. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $241,700
    Fremont has a growing tech scene. Companies like Tesla offer exciting leadership opportunities. Leading an engineering team here means being part of cutting-edge automotive tech.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Fremont, CA


  10. Oakland, CA
    Average Salary: $225,227
    Oakland offers a diverse tech environment. Leading engineering roles here mean working with a variety of companies. The city's innovation spirit provides a stimulating work atmosphere.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in Oakland, CA

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

Salesforce, Autodesk, and SEPHORA offer top salaries for Director Engineering jobs in San Francisco. These companies value skilled leaders and invest in their engineering teams. A career with any of these firms can bring a rewarding salary and growth opportunities.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Director Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Salesforce with the highest at $277,542 and SEPHORA with the lowest at $253,247.

  1. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $277,542
    Salesforce is a global cloud company known for its customer relationship management solutions. Director Engineering roles at Salesforce in San Francisco involve leading cross-functional teams to innovate and implement scalable cloud solutions. Salesforce has offices worldwide, including major tech hubs like New York and London.


  2. Autodesk
    Average Salary: $269,007
    Autodesk creates software for the design, engineering, and entertainment industries. As a Director of Engineering at Autodesk in San Francisco, you will oversee product development and collaborate closely with design and marketing teams. Autodesk's global footprint includes significant offices in places like Los Angeles and Dublin.


  3. SEPHORA
    Average Salary: $253,247
    SEPHORA is a leading beauty retailer offering a wide range of cosmetics and skincare products. In San Francisco, a Director Engineering at SEPHORA will manage technology solutions to improve customer experience and streamline operations. SEPHORA operates globally, with flagship stores in cities such as Paris and Tokyo.

Currently 118 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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