What are the main factors that influence a Backend Software Engineering Director's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

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.

How does experience change A Backend Software Engineering Director's salary?

A Backend Software Engineering Director's salary grows with experience: a Backend Applications Developer V (7-10 years)earns $167,205, a Backend Applications Developer Supervisor (10+ years)earns $154,278, a Backend Applications Developer Manager (10+ years)earns $169,096, a Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager (10+ years)earns $202,887, a Backend Software Engineering Director (10+ years)earns $220,546,

What are the highest paying states for a Backend Software Engineering Director?

Backend Software Engineering Director salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Backend Software Engineering Director roles are District of Columbia $220,550, California $219,710, Massachusetts $216,790. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Backend Software Engineering Director roles make?

Salaries for Backend Software Engineering Director level roles vary by specialization: Director of Software Engineering: $214,200; Software Engineering Director: $214,155; Embedded Software Engineering Director: $212,242; Backend Development Director: $199,193; Backend Software Engineering Senior Manager: $183,250.

Backend Software Engineering Director Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Backend Software Engineering Director make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Backend Software Engineering Director in District of Columbia is $220,550 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): $250,735
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $200,480 to $236,350
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $182,207

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Backend Software Engineering Director Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$236,350	$19,696	$4,545	$114
Average	$220,550	$18,379	$4,241	$106
25th Percentile	$200,480	$16,707	$3,855	$96

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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): $167,205
Backend Applications Developer Supervisor (10+ years): $154,278
Backend Applications Developer Manager (10+ years): $169,096
Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager (10+ years): $202,887
Backend Software Engineering Director (10+ years): $220,546

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Backend Applications Developer V	7-10 years	$167,205
Backend Applications Developer Supervisor	10+ years	$154,278
Backend Applications Developer Manager	10+ years	$169,096
Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager	10+ years	$202,887
Backend Software Engineering Director	10+ years	$220,546

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Backend Software Engineering Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Backend Software Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $220,550.
California: $219,710.
Massachusetts: $216,790.

District of Columbia $220,550 California $219,710 Massachusetts $216,790 Washington $215,990 New Jersey $215,910 Alaska $215,630 Connecticut $212,880 New York $211,770

Hawaii $208,200 Rhode Island $206,530 Maryland $205,390 Minnesota $203,840 Colorado $203,240 Illinois $203,040 Oregon $202,290 Delaware $201,730

New Hampshire $201,380 Virginia $200,590 Pennsylvania $198,300 Nevada $197,150 North Dakota $196,770 Michigan $196,170 Wisconsin $195,950 Vermont $195,510

Texas $194,300 Maine $194,220 Arizona $194,100 Ohio $193,960 Georgia $192,130 Indiana $191,210 Wyoming $191,030 Utah $190,750

Iowa $190,630 Kansas $189,680 Louisiana $189,400 North Carolina $189,300 Missouri $189,260 Florida $188,480 Montana $188,060 Nebraska $187,660

Kentucky $187,450 South Carolina $186,650 Tennessee $186,150 Idaho $185,950 New Mexico $184,500 Oklahoma $184,180 Alabama $183,000 South Dakota $181,030

Arkansas $179,960 West Virginia $179,380 Mississippi $177,650

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:

Parcel Return Service: $219,350
Washington: $219,360
Naval Anacost Annex: $219,350

Parcel Return Service, DC $219,350 Washington, DC $219,360 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $219,350 Washington Navy Yard, DC $219,350

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 $246,683. While startup companies pay approximate $208,620.

Backend Software Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$208,620
Growth Stage	51~500	$220,649
Established	501~5000	$238,220
Enterprise	5000+	$246,683

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	$264,660	$127.0	20%
Internet	$264,660	$127.0	20%
Software & Networking	$264,660	$127.0	20%
Pharmaceuticals	$253,632	$122.0	15%
Biotechnology	$242,605	$117.0	10%

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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

$200,480

Average $220,550/year

$236,350

$16,707

Average $18,379/month

$19,696

$3,855

Average $4,241/week

$4,545

$96

Average $106/hour

$114

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$236,350	$19,696	$4,545	$114
Average	$220,550	$18,379	$4,241	$106
25th Percentile	$200,480	$16,707	$3,855	$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 $290,400 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

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