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Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Salary in the United States

How much does an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development in the United States is $241,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $116.

However, an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $253,345
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $225,100 to $247,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $210,169
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View as table View as graph 25% $225,100 10% $210,169 90% $253,345 75% $247,700 $241,500 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $247,700 $20,642 $4,763 $119
Average $241,500 $20,125 $4,644 $116
25th Percentile $225,100 $18,758 $4,329 $108
Check out Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Salaries

An Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development'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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development'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:

  • Software Developer IV (7+ years): $148,888
  • Software Developer V (7-10 years): $171,159
  • Software Development Manager (10+ years): $169,538
  • Director of Software Engineering (10+ years): $214,158
  • Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development (10+ years): $241,484
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Developer IV7+ years$148,888
Software Developer V7-10 years$171,159
Software Development Manager10+ years$169,538
Director of Software Engineering10+ years$214,158
Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development10+ years$241,484
$148,888 Software ...
$171,159 Software ...
$169,538 Software ...
$214,158 Director ...
$241,484 Executive...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Developments

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:

  • San Jose: $304,600
  • San Francisco: $301,300
  • Oakland: $295,000

What Skills Can Increase an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 17.01% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • .NET (Mentioned in 2.04% Job Postings): A managed execution environment with tools and libraries that assists developers to design, develop and deploy software applications.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 1.36% Job Postings): Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 17.01%
.NET 2.04%
Agile 1.36%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development's salary.
  • Complex Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 55%.
  • Consultancy: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Android: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Complex Problem Solving
 $374,325
55%
Consultancy
 $280,140
16%
Android
 $275,310
14%
Java
 $258,405
7%
Product Development
 $258,405
7%
Products and Services
 $251,160
4%
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Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $270,345. While startup companies pay approximate $228,706.

Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$228,706
Growth Stage51~500$241,883
Established501~5000$261,066
Enterprise5000+$270,345

Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$301,875$145.025%
Pharmaceuticals$301,875$145.025%
Energy & Utilities$289,800$139.020%
Healthcare$277,725$134.015%
Software & Networking$277,725$134.015%

How Education impacts an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Developments enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development with a Associate's Degree is between $239,769 and $256,655).

Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 1.5%
Associates 2.0%
Bachelors 45.9%
Masters 43.9%
Doctorate 5.6%
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Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$225,100
Average $241,500/year
$247,700
$18,758
Average $20,125/month
$20,642
$4,329
Average $4,644/week
$4,763
$108
Average $116/hour
$119
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $247,700 $20,642 $4,763 $119
Average $241,500 $20,125 $4,644 $116
25th Percentile $225,100 $18,758 $4,329 $108

Salaries of jobs related to Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development

Salary Trends for Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development

Salaries for an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $230,666 in 2023 to around $226,663 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$230,666
2024
$229,060
2025
$226,663
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $230,666
2024 $229,060
2025 $226,663
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development

Here are companies hiring for Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Job

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

United States

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

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  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Vice President Payments Engineering

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    Columbus, OH

    Chief of Staff

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    22 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

    McDonalds

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    McDonald’s is seeking Crew Team Members to assist with daily restaurant operations including customer service, food preparation, and maintaining restaurant... more

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FAQ about Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much does a head of Software Engineering make?

The salary for an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development typically ranges from $228,300 to $287,000, with a median salary of $256,600. This reflects a competitive compensation structure for leadership roles in software engineering.

3. What is the highest salary for an IT director?

The salary for an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development ranges from $228,300 to $287,000 annually, with a midpoint of $256,600. This data reflects the compensation for this role, providing a clear overview of the salary expectations in the industry.

4. How much does a director of Software Engineering make at Capital One?

The salary for a Director of Software Engineering at Capital One typically ranges from $228,300 to $287,000, with a mid-point of around $256,600. Recent reports indicate salaries can vary based on experience and location, with some positions in San Francisco reported between $246K and $286K, while those in Richmond may start around $241K.

5. What is the salary of director of software engineer?

The salary for an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development ranges from $228,300 to $287,000 annually, with a midpoint of $256,600. These figures reflect the compensation for this role based on industry standards and data from various sources.

6. What does a director of Software Engineering do?

A Director of Software Engineering leads and manages multiple software engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. They oversee the design, development, and delivery of high-quality software products and services. The salary for this role typically ranges from $228,300 to $287,000, with a midpoint of $256,600.

7. Which is higher CEO or executive director?

In the US nonprofit sector, the executive director is the highest-ranking position, similar to a CEO in a for-profit corporation. The salary for an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development ranges from $228,300 to $287,000, with a midpoint of $256,600, reflecting the significant responsibilities of the role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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