Backend Software Engineering Director Salary in California

How much does a Backend Software Engineering Director make in California?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Backend Software Engineering Director in California is $219,720 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $106.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $250,383
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $197,520 to $235,770
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $177,308
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View as table View as graph 25% $197,520 10% $177,308 90% $250,383 75% $235,770 $219,720 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 $235,770 $19,648 $4,534 $113
Average $219,720 $18,310 $4,225 $106
25th Percentile $197,520 $16,460 $3,798 $95
Check out Backend Software Engineering Director Job Openings in California
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Ema - San Francisco, CA

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OpenAI - San Francisco, CA

Director of Software Engineering

Ring Inc - Menlo Park, CA

Director Software Engineering

Ring Inc - San Francisco, CA

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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): $166,584
  • Backend Applications Developer Supervisor (10+ years): $153,696
  • Backend Applications Developer Manager (10+ years): $168,447
  • Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager (10+ years): $202,138
  • Backend Software Engineering Director (10+ years): $219,720
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Backend Applications Developer V7-10 years$166,584
Backend Applications Developer Supervisor10+ years$153,696
Backend Applications Developer Manager10+ years$168,447
Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager10+ years$202,138
Backend Software Engineering Director10+ years$219,720
$166,584 Backend A...
$153,696 Backend A...
$168,447 Backend A...
$202,138 Backend A...
$219,720 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:

  • Los Angeles: $220,660
  • West Hollywood: $220,660
  • Dodgertown: $220,660

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on March 01, 2026
$197,520
Average $219,720/year
$235,770
$16,460
Average $18,310/month
$19,648
$3,798
Average $4,225/week
$4,534
$95
Average $106/hour
$113
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $235,770 $19,648 $4,534 $113
Average $219,720 $18,310 $4,225 $106
25th Percentile $197,520 $16,460 $3,798 $95

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 $289,100 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

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