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Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary in California

How much does a Director Engineering Design/Development Projects make in California?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director Engineering Design/Development Projects in California is $216,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $104.

However, a Director Engineering Design/Development Projects's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $242,491
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $189,700 to $230,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $165,118
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View as table View as graph 25% $189,700 10% $165,118 90% $242,491 75% $230,200 $216,700 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $230,200 $19,183 $4,427 $111
Average $216,700 $18,058 $4,167 $104
25th Percentile $189,700 $15,808 $3,648 $91
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Key Factors That Influence Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salaries

A Director Engineering Design/Development Projects'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 Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director Engineering Design/Development Projects'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:

  • Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Team Lead (3-5 years): $129,116
  • Engineering Program/Project Management - Manager (5+ years): $165,986
  • Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Manager (5+ years): $190,020
  • Director Engineering Design/Development Projects (5+ years): $216,613
  • Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Director (5+ years): $242,196
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Team Lead3-5 years$129,116
Engineering Program/Project Management - Manager5+ years$165,986
Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Manager5+ years$190,020
Director Engineering Design/Development Projects5+ years$216,613
Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Director5+ years$242,196
$129,116 Engineeri...
$165,986 Engineeri...
$190,020 Engineeri...
$216,613 Director ...
$242,196 Engineeri...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Director Engineering Design/Development Projects

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: $217,000
  • West Hollywood: $216,900
  • Dodgertown: $217,000

Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Director Engineering Design/Development Projects salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $242,583. While startup companies pay approximate $205,220.

Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$205,220
Growth Stage51~500$217,044
Established501~5000$234,257
Enterprise5000+$242,583

Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director Engineering Design/Development Projects 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 Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Director Engineering Design/Development Projects positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Director Engineering Design/Development Projects as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Director Engineering Design/Development Projects

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$270,875$130.025%
Energy & Utilities$249,205$120.015%
Aerospace & Defense$238,370$115.010%
Biotechnology$238,370$115.010%
Financial Services$238,370$115.010%

Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director Engineering Design/Development Projects'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 August 01, 2026
$189,700
Average $216,700/year
$230,200
$15,808
Average $18,058/month
$19,183
$3,648
Average $4,167/week
$4,427
$91
Average $104/hour
$111
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $230,200 $19,183 $4,427 $111
Average $216,700 $18,058 $4,167 $104
25th Percentile $189,700 $15,808 $3,648 $91

Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary Growth & Career Path

Director Engineering Design/Development Projects
Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Director

For a Director Engineering Design/Development Projects, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $242,200 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Director Engineering Design/Development Projects

Find Your Next Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Director Engineering Design/Development Projects job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

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    OMAHA, NE

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    BLACKHAWK VILLAGE, IA

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    SOUTH DES MOINES, IA

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    LAUDERDALE, MN

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    SAINT CLOUD, MN

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