Backend Software Engineering Director Salary in Washington

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Backend Software Engineering Director in Washington is $215,990 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $104.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $245,545
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $196,330 to $231,460
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $178,431
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View as table View as graph 25% $196,330 10% $178,431 90% $245,545 75% $231,460 $215,990 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 $231,460 $19,288 $4,451 $111
Average $215,990 $17,999 $4,154 $104
25th Percentile $196,330 $16,361 $3,776 $94
Check out Backend Software Engineering Director Job Openings in Washington
Senior Director Software Engineering

Slope - Bellevue, WA

FinTech Software Engineering Director

Visa - Bellevue, WA

Director Software Engineering

Visa - Bellevue, WA

Director Software Engineering

Chewy - Bellevue, WA

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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): $163,747
  • Backend Applications Developer Supervisor (10+ years): $151,087
  • Backend Applications Developer Manager (10+ years): $165,599
  • Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager (10+ years): $198,690
  • Backend Software Engineering Director (10+ years): $215,985
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Backend Applications Developer V7-10 years$163,747
Backend Applications Developer Supervisor10+ years$151,087
Backend Applications Developer Manager10+ years$165,599
Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager10+ years$198,690
Backend Software Engineering Director10+ years$215,985
$163,747 Backend A...
$151,087 Backend A...
$165,599 Backend A...
$198,690 Backend A...
$215,985 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:

  • Auburn: $215,730
  • Federal Way: $215,630
  • Bellevue: $220,060

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 $241,583. While startup companies pay approximate $204,307.

Backend Software Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$204,307
Growth Stage51~500$216,087
Established501~5000$233,295
Enterprise5000+$241,583

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$259,188$125.020%
Internet$259,188$125.020%
Software & Networking$259,188$125.020%
Pharmaceuticals$248,388$119.015%
Biotechnology$237,589$114.010%

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
$196,330
Average $215,990/year
$231,460
$16,361
Average $17,999/month
$19,288
$3,776
Average $4,154/week
$4,451
$94
Average $104/hour
$111
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $231,460 $19,288 $4,451 $111
Average $215,990 $17,999 $4,154 $104
25th Percentile $196,330 $16,361 $3,776 $94

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 $284,300 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

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Cost of Living In Washington

Cost of Living in Washington is
8.4% Higher
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