Backend Software Engineering Director Salary in Illinois

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Backend Software Engineering Director in Illinois is $203,040 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $98.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $230,837
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $184,560 to $217,590
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $167,735
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View as table View as graph 25% $184,560 10% $167,735 90% $230,837 75% $217,590 $203,040 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 $217,590 $18,133 $4,184 $105
Average $203,040 $16,920 $3,905 $98
25th Percentile $184,560 $15,380 $3,549 $89
Check out Backend Software Engineering Director Job Openings in Illinois
Director Software Engineering Java

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) - , IL

Director of Software Support Engineering

Capital One - Little Rock Township, IL

Director of Software Engineering

Research Computing Teams - Chicago, IL

Director of Software Engineering

Hobbsnews - Chicago, IL

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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): $153,931
  • Backend Applications Developer Supervisor (10+ years): $142,030
  • Backend Applications Developer Manager (10+ years): $155,672
  • Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager (10+ years): $186,780
  • Backend Software Engineering Director (10+ years): $203,037
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Backend Applications Developer V7-10 years$153,931
Backend Applications Developer Supervisor10+ years$142,030
Backend Applications Developer Manager10+ years$155,672
Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager10+ years$186,780
Backend Software Engineering Director10+ years$203,037
$153,931 Backend A...
$142,030 Backend A...
$155,672 Backend A...
$186,780 Backend A...
$203,037 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:

  • Effingham: $187,160
  • Saint Peter: $186,910
  • Salem: $187,620

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 $227,099. While startup companies pay approximate $192,058.

Backend Software Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$192,058
Growth Stage51~500$203,131
Established501~5000$219,307
Enterprise5000+$227,099

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$243,648$117.020%
Internet$243,648$117.020%
Software & Networking$243,648$117.020%
Pharmaceuticals$233,496$112.015%
Biotechnology$223,344$107.010%

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
$184,560
Average $203,040/year
$217,590
$15,380
Average $16,920/month
$18,133
$3,549
Average $3,905/week
$4,184
$89
Average $98/hour
$105
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $217,590 $18,133 $4,184 $105
Average $203,040 $16,920 $3,905 $98
25th Percentile $184,560 $15,380 $3,549 $89

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 $267,300 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

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