Backend Software Engineering Director Salary in California

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Backend Software Engineering Director in California is $219,710 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): $249,780
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $199,720 to $235,450
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $181,520
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View as table View as graph 25% $199,720 10% $181,520 90% $249,780 75% $235,450 $219,710 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 $235,450 $19,621 $4,528 $113
Average $219,710 $18,309 $4,225 $106
25th Percentile $199,720 $16,643 $3,841 $96
Check out Backend Software Engineering Director Job Openings in California
Director of Software Engineering

Jobot - Seal Beach, CA

Sr Director of Software Engineering

JPMorgan Chase & Co. - Los Angeles, CA

Director of Software Engineering

47G Utah Aerospace & Defense - Oakland, CA

Director of Software Engineering

Stanford Climate Ventures - Oakland, 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): $166,571
  • Backend Applications Developer Supervisor (10+ years): $153,693
  • Backend Applications Developer Manager (10+ years): $168,455
  • Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager (10+ years): $202,117
  • Backend Software Engineering Director (10+ years): $219,710
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Backend Applications Developer V7-10 years$166,571
Backend Applications Developer Supervisor10+ years$153,693
Backend Applications Developer Manager10+ years$168,455
Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager10+ years$202,117
Backend Software Engineering Director10+ years$219,710
$166,571 Backend A...
$153,693 Backend A...
$168,455 Backend A...
$202,117 Backend A...
$219,710 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: $220,090
  • West Hollywood: $219,930
  • Dodgertown: $220,090

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 $245,744. While startup companies pay approximate $207,826.

Backend Software Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$207,826
Growth Stage51~500$219,808
Established501~5000$237,313
Enterprise5000+$245,744

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$263,652$127.020%
Internet$263,652$127.020%
Software & Networking$263,652$127.020%
Pharmaceuticals$252,666$121.015%
Biotechnology$241,681$116.010%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$199,720
Average $219,710/year
$235,450
$16,643
Average $18,309/month
$19,621
$3,841
Average $4,225/week
$4,528
$96
Average $106/hour
$113
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $235,450 $19,621 $4,528 $113
Average $219,710 $18,309 $4,225 $106
25th Percentile $199,720 $16,643 $3,841 $96

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 $289,300 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

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