Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development Salary in California

How much does an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development make in California?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development in California is $266,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $128.

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): $279,391
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $248,300 to $273,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $231,821
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View as table View as graph 25% $248,300 10% $231,821 90% $279,391 75% $273,200 $266,400 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 $273,200 $22,767 $5,254 $131
Average $266,400 $22,200 $5,123 $128
25th Percentile $248,300 $20,692 $4,775 $119
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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, 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): $164,228
  • Software Developer V (7-10 years): $188,789
  • Software Development Manager (10+ years): $186,996
  • Director of Software Engineering (10+ years): $236,213
  • Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development (10+ years): $266,356
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Developer IV7+ years$164,228
Software Developer V7-10 years$188,789
Software Development Manager10+ years$186,996
Director of Software Engineering10+ years$236,213
Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development10+ years$266,356
$164,228 Software ...
$188,789 Software ...
$186,996 Software ...
$236,213 Director ...
$266,356 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:

  • Los Angeles: $266,900
  • West Hollywood: $266,700
  • Dodgertown: $266,900

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 $297,966. While startup companies pay approximate $251,990.

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

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$251,990
Growth Stage51~500$266,519
Established501~5000$287,743
Enterprise5000+$297,966

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$333,000$160.025%
Pharmaceuticals$333,000$160.025%
Energy & Utilities$319,680$154.020%
Healthcare$306,360$147.015%
Software & Networking$306,360$147.015%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$248,300
Average $266,400/year
$273,200
$20,692
Average $22,200/month
$22,767
$4,775
Average $5,123/week
$5,254
$119
Average $128/hour
$131
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $273,200 $22,767 $5,254 $131
Average $266,400 $22,200 $5,123 $128
25th Percentile $248,300 $20,692 $4,775 $119

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