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How much does a Director of Engineering make?

The average salary for a Director of Engineering is $155,926 per year in the US.

If someone wants to become a Director of Engineering, it's important to know what to expect in terms of salary. This role often comes with a substantial yearly income. On average, Directors of Engineering make about $155,926 per year. This figure can vary based on experience, industry, and company size.

Directors of Engineering often see their salary increase with more years of experience. For instance, those with 10 years or more in the field might earn between $206,127 and $245,564. Companies in tech hubs or those with cutting-edge projects may offer higher salaries to attract top talent.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Director of Engineering?

High-paying cities for Director of Engineering positions offer excellent opportunities for career growth. San Francisco, CA, leads the way with an average salary of $229,164. Other top-tier cities include San Jose, CA, and Seattle, WA, each providing competitive compensation packages. These cities attract top talent with their strong tech industries and high demand for engineering expertise.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Director of Engineering jobs, highlighting San Francisco, CA with the highest at $229,164 and Des Moines, IA with the lowest at $158,045.
  1. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $229,164
    In San Francisco, engineering leaders can drive innovation. The tech scene here is vibrant, with companies like Google and Salesforce leading the way. The focus is on cutting-edge tech and agile practices.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $222,179
    San Jose offers a rich environment for engineering talent. The city is home to tech giants like Intel and Cisco. Leaders here often work on advanced projects and enjoy a dynamic work culture.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in San Jose, CA


  3. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $167,833
    Seattle is a tech hub, with companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Engineering leaders here benefit from a creative atmosphere. They often lead teams focused on cloud computing and software development.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in Seattle, WA


  4. Dallas, TX
    Average Salary: $165,605
    Dallas has a growing tech sector with leaders like AT&T and ExxonMobil. The city offers a blend of traditional business and tech innovation. Leaders here often manage large engineering teams.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in Dallas, TX


  5. Salt Lake City, UT
    Average Salary: $163,563
    Salt Lake City is emerging as a tech center with companies like Qualtrics and Vivint. The cost of living is lower, making it attractive for leaders. The focus is on user experience and software engineering.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in Salt Lake City, UT


  6. Rochester, NY
    Average Salary: $162,010
    Rochester offers a mix of tech and healthcare. Companies like Kodak and HighPoint Solutions look for strong engineering leaders. The city has a collaborative work environment.
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  7. Boston, MA
    Average Salary: $161,193
    Boston is known for its academic and tech scene. Companies like IBM and Thermo Fisher Scientific are prominent. Leaders here often collaborate with top universities on research projects.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in Boston, MA


  8. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $160,929
    Los Angeles has a diverse tech environment with leaders like Sony and Electronic Arts. The city offers a relaxed work atmosphere. Engineering leaders here often work on entertainment technology.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in Los Angeles, CA


  9. San Antonio, TX
    Average Salary: $160,827
    San Antonio is a growing tech city with leaders like AT&T and Rackspace. The cost of living is affordable. Leaders here often work on scalable software solutions and cloud services.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in San Antonio, TX


  10. Des Moines, IA
    Average Salary: $158,045
    Des Moines offers a smaller, friendly tech environment. Companies like Principal Financial Group look for strong engineering leaders. The city has a lower cost of living and a supportive community.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in Des Moines, IA

What are the best companies a Director of Engineering can work for?

Companies like Northrop Grumman and PwC lead the way in paying their Director of Engineering roles. At Northrop Grumman, Directors earn about $241,224 a year, while at PwC, they make around $233,317. These high salaries reflect the strong demand for experienced engineering leadership. Collins Aerospace and Deloitte follow closely behind, offering around $227,000 and $183,600, respectively. These companies value top engineering talent, making them attractive options for professionals in this field.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Director of Engineering jobs, highlighting Northrop Grumman with the highest at $241,224 and Sage Hospitality with the lowest at $111,667.
  1. Northrop Grumman
    Average Salary: $241,224
    Northrop Grumman is a global security company. It offers Director of Engineering jobs in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. This role involves leading engineering teams and ensuring product quality and innovation.


  2. PwC
    Average Salary: $233,317
    PwC is a multinational professional services network. Director of Engineering roles at PwC focus on technological innovation and consulting services across the Americas and Asia.


  3. Collins Aerospace
    Average Salary: $227,000
    Collins Aerospace provides advanced technology solutions for the aerospace and defense sectors. The Director of Engineering here leads technical teams in the United States and Europe, focusing on aerospace engineering projects.


  4. Deloitte
    Average Salary: $183,600
    Deloitte offers audit, tax, consulting, and advisory services. In this role, the Director of Engineering works on complex projects in the United States, United Kingdom, and India, focusing on technology integration.


  5. Vestal Corporation
    Average Salary: $176,574
    Vestal Corporation focuses on advanced manufacturing solutions. Director of Engineering roles at Vestal involve overseeing engineering projects in the United States and Canada.


  6. CyberCoders
    Average Salary: $173,235
    CyberCoders is a staffing and recruiting firm. Director of Engineering positions here are diverse, with roles across the United States focusing on various technology and engineering sectors.


  7. S&P Global
    Average Salary: $163,432
    S&P Global provides financial market data and analysis. This role involves managing engineering teams in the United States and Europe, focusing on data and analytics.


  8. Marriott International
    Average Salary: $119,238
    Marriott International is a global hospitality company. Director of Engineering roles here manage the engineering needs of hotels in the United States and worldwide.


  9. Omni Hotels
    Average Salary: $115,788
    Omni Hotels is a luxury hospitality company. This role involves overseeing hotel engineering projects in the United States, focusing on sustainability and innovation.


  10. Sage Hospitality
    Average Salary: $111,667
    Sage Hospitality manages upscale hotels. Director of Engineering roles here focus on engineering and maintenance projects across the United States.

How to earn more as a Director of Engineering?

A Director of Engineering has the opportunity to earn a significant salary by leveraging experience, skills, and industry trends. To maximize earnings, directors should focus on key factors that can enhance their value within the industry. Building a strong professional network provides access to new opportunities and insights. Staying current with the latest technological advancements ensures a competitive edge in the job market. Gaining experience in different sectors broadens the skill set and increases marketability.

Pursuing advanced certifications can also lead to higher earnings. These credentials demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and expertise. Directors who take on leadership roles in high-demand areas, such as cybersecurity or artificial intelligence, can command higher salaries. These factors, when combined, create a solid foundation for earning more as a Director of Engineering.

Consider these factors to increase earning potential:

  1. Build a professional network
  2. Stay current with technology
  3. Gain experience in different sectors
  4. Pursue advanced certifications
  5. Lead in high-demand areas

Currently 199 Director of Engineering job openings, nationwide.

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

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