Manufacturing Process Engineering Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Manufacturing Process Engineering Director make in the United States?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Process Engineering Director in the United States is $183,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $88.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $201,840
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $168,700 to $193,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $155,225
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View as table View as graph 25% $168,700 10% $155,225 90% $201,840 75% $193,100 $183,500 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Manufacturing Process Engineering Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $193,100 $16,092 $3,713 $93
Average $183,500 $15,292 $3,529 $88
25th Percentile $168,700 $14,058 $3,244 $81
Check out Manufacturing Process Engineering Director Job Openings in the United States
Director of Manufacturing Engineering

General Tool Company - Cincinnati, OH

Director of Manufacturing Engineering

General Tool Co - Cincinnati, OH

Director Manufacturing Engineering

Rittal LLC - Urbana, OH

Search More Manufacturing Process Engineering Director Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Manufacturing Process Engineering Director Salaries

A Manufacturing Process 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 Manufacturing Process Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manufacturing Process 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:

  • Manufacturing Process Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,184
  • Manufacturing Process Engineer IV (7+ years): $134,674
  • Manufacturing Process Engineering Supervisor (7+ years): $117,511
  • Process Development Engineering Manager (7+ years): $142,695
  • Manufacturing Process Engineering Director (7+ years): $183,461
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Manufacturing Process Engineer III4-7 years$110,184
Manufacturing Process Engineer IV7+ years$134,674
Manufacturing Process Engineering Supervisor7+ years$117,511
Process Development Engineering Manager7+ years$142,695
Manufacturing Process Engineering Director7+ years$183,461
$110,184 Manufactu...
$134,674 Manufactu...
$117,511 Manufactu...
$142,695 Process D...
$183,461 Manufactu...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Manufacturing Process 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:

  • San Jose: $231,400
  • San Francisco: $228,900
  • Oakland: $224,100

What Skills Can Increase a Manufacturing Process Engineering Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 8.24% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • Chemical Engineering (Mentioned in 2.59% Job Postings): Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilisation of nano-technology and nano-materials in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and products. Chemical engineers are involved in many aspects of plant design and operation, including safety and hazard assessments, process design and analysis, modeling, control engineering, chemical reaction engineering, nuclear engineering, biological engineering, construction specification, and operating instructions. Chemical engineers typically hold a degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. Practising engineers may have professional certification and be accredited members of a professional body. Such bodies include the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) or the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). A degree in chemical engineering is directly linked with all of the other engineering disciplines, to various extents.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 1.41% 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
Initiative 8.24%
Chemical Engineering 2.59%
Agile 1.41%
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 a Manufacturing Process Engineering Director's salary.
  • Actuarial Science: Can increase your salary by up to 66%.
  • Financial Services Industry: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Microbiology: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Actuarial Science
$304,610
66%
Financial Services Industry
$229,375
25%
Microbiology
$200,015
9%
Cell Culture
$200,015
9%
Partnering
$196,345
7%
Business Process Management
$196,345
7%
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Manufacturing Process Engineering Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Manufacturing Process Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $205,732. While startup companies pay approximate $174,163.

Manufacturing Process Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$174,163
Growth Stage51~500$184,145
Established501~5000$198,722
Enterprise5000+$205,732

Manufacturing Process Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Manufacturing Process 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.

Last Updated on June 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Manufacturing Process Engineering Director

Salaries for a Manufacturing Process Engineering Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $182,436 in 2023 to around $178,247 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Manufacturing Process Engineering Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Manufacturing Process Engineering Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$182,436
2024
$180,636
2025
$178,247
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $182,436
2024 $180,636
2025 $178,247
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Manufacturing Process Engineering Director

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Manufacturing Process Engineering Director

Here are companies hiring for Manufacturing Process Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Manufacturing Process Engineering Director

1. What does a director of manufacturing engineering do?

A Director of Manufacturing Engineering is responsible for developing methods and processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and eliminate failures in manufacturing. They set long-term objectives related to maintenance metrics and create action plans to achieve strategic goals. The salary for this role ranges from $169,100 to $194,800, with a midpoint of $180,200.

2. What does a director of process engineering do?

A Process Engineering Director leads engineering projects, integrates the latest technologies, resolves engineering challenges, and approves process designs. This role typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering and reports to top management. The salary for this position ranges from $169,100 to $194,800, with a midpoint of $180,200.

3. Do directors get paid well?

Directors in manufacturing process engineering are compensated significantly higher than the general average for producers and directors. The salary data indicates a minimum of $169,100, a mid-range of $180,200, and a maximum of $194,800. This reflects a lucrative position, especially compared to the median annual wage of $82,510 for producers and directors overall.

4. What is the highest salary for a Manufacturing Engineer?

A Manufacturing Process Engineering Director can earn a salary ranging from $169,100 to $194,800, with a mid-salary of $180,200. This reflects the compensation for experienced professionals in this role, highlighting the significant earning potential in the manufacturing sector.

5. What is the highest paid engineering position?

The highest-paid engineering position is often the Manufacturing Process Engineering Director, with a salary range from $169,100 to $194,800. The average salary for this role is approximately $180,200, reflecting the significant expertise and leadership required in manufacturing processes.

6. What is the difference between engineering manager and engineering director?

An engineering manager focuses on the tactical aspects of leading their team in solving engineering problems, while an engineering director operates at a higher level, making strategic operational decisions. The salary for a Manufacturing Process Engineering Director ranges from $169,100 to $194,800, with a midpoint of $180,200, reflecting their broader responsibilities.

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.)

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