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Backend Software Engineering Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Backend Software Engineering Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Backend Software Engineering Director in the United States is $199,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $96.

However, a Backend Software Engineering Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $227,876
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $181,400 to $214,210
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $165,194
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View as table View as graph 25% $181,400 10% $165,194 90% $227,876 75% $214,210 $199,200 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Backend Software Engineering Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $214,210 $17,851 $4,119 $103
Average $199,200 $16,600 $3,831 $96
25th Percentile $181,400 $15,117 $3,488 $87
Check out Backend Software Engineering Director Job Openings in the United States
Senior Director Software Engineering

JPMorganChase - Columbus, OH

Director of Software Engineering

hackajob - Columbus, OH

Senior Director of Software Engineering

Socket.dev - Columbus, OH

Lead Director Software Engineering

Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Backend Software Engineering Director Salaries

A Backend Software Engineering Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Backend Software Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Backend Software Engineering Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Backend Applications Developer V (7-10 years): $151,013
  • Backend Applications Developer Supervisor (10+ years): $139,339
  • Backend Applications Developer Manager (10+ years): $152,723
  • Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager (10+ years): $183,238
  • Backend Software Engineering Director (10+ years): $199,191
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Backend Applications Developer V7-10 years$151,013
Backend Applications Developer Supervisor10+ years$139,339
Backend Applications Developer Manager10+ years$152,723
Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager10+ years$183,238
Backend Software Engineering Director10+ years$199,191
$151,013 Backend A...
$139,339 Backend A...
$152,723 Backend A...
$183,238 Backend A...
$199,191 Backend S...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Backend Software Engineering Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $251,240
  • San Francisco: $248,490
  • Oakland: $243,260

Backend Software Engineering Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Backend Software Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $222,993. While startup companies pay approximate $188,647.

Backend Software Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$188,647
Growth Stage51~500$199,516
Established501~5000$215,339
Enterprise5000+$222,993

Backend Software Engineering Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Backend Software Engineering Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Backend Software Engineering Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Backend Software Engineering Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Backend Software Engineering Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$239,040$115.020%
Internet$239,040$115.020%
Software & Networking$239,040$115.020%
Pharmaceuticals$229,080$110.015%
Biotechnology$219,120$105.010%

Backend Software Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Backend Software Engineering Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$181,400
Average $199,200/year
$214,210
$15,117
Average $16,600/month
$17,851
$3,488
Average $3,831/week
$4,119
$87
Average $96/hour
$103
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $214,210 $17,851 $4,119 $103
Average $199,200 $16,600 $3,831 $96
25th Percentile $181,400 $15,117 $3,488 $87

Backend Software Engineering Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Backend Software Engineering Director
VP of Software Research and Design Architecture

For a Backend Software Engineering Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Software Research and Design Architecture role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $262,300 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Backend Software Engineering Director

Most common benefits for Backend Software Engineering Director

Social Security
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Disability
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Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Backend Software Engineering Director

Here are companies hiring for Backend Software Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Backend Software Engineering Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Backend Software Engineering Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

  • JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    Columbus, OH

    Director of Software Engineering

    JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Columbus, OH

    Overview. If you are a software engineering leader ready to take the reins and drive impact, we’ve got an opportunity just for you. As a Director of Softwa... more

    4 Days Ago

  • JPMorganChase

    Columbus, OH

    Senior Director of Software Engineering

    JPMorganChase | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Your opportunity to make a real impact and shape the future of financial services is waiting for you. Let's push the boundaries of what's ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    Columbus, OH

    Senior Director of Software Engineering

    JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Columbus, OH

    Your opportunity to make a real impact and shape the future of financial services is waiting for you. Let's push the boundaries of what's possible together... more

    5 Days Ago

  • JPMorganChase

    Columbus, OH

    Director of Software Engineering

    JPMorganChase | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. If you are a software engineering leader ready to take the reins and drive impact, we've got an opportunity just for you. As a Director of... more

    6 Days Ago

  • hackajob

    Columbus, OH

    Director of Software Engineering AI

    hackajob | Columbus, OH

    JPMorganChase, in collaboration with hackajob, seeks a Director of Software Engineering to lead a technology area within the Deposits team. You will drive ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Fairygodboss

    Columbus, OH

    Senior

    Fairygodboss | Columbus, OH

    JPMorgan Chase is seeking a Senior Director of Software Engineering in Columbus, OH to lead diverse tech domains and drive scalable, secure software delive... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Backend Software Engineering Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Backend Software Engineering Director?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Backend Software Engineering Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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