What are the main factors that influence a Software Development Director's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Software Development Director's salary?

A Software Development Director's salary grows with experience: a Software Developer IV (7+ years)earns $164,870, a Software Developer V (7-10 years)earns $189,513, a Software Development Manager (10+ years)earns $187,693, a Software Development Director (10+ years)earns $237,099, an Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development (10+ years)earns $267,368,

What are the highest paying states for a Software Development Director?

Software Development Director salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Software Development Director roles are District of Columbia $237,113, California $236,213, Massachusetts $233,073. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Software Development Director roles make?

Salaries for Software Development Director level roles vary by specialization: Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development: $241,500; Software Engineering Director: $214,143; Embedded Software Engineering Director: $212,223; Software Architect Director: $208,356; Software Operating Systems Development Director: $203,890.

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Software Development Director Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Software Development Director make in District of Columbia?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Development Director in District of Columbia is $237,113 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $114.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $264,146
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $227,623 to $251,263
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $218,983

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Software Development Director Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$251,263	$20,939	$4,832	$121
Average	$237,113	$19,759	$4,560	$114
25th Percentile	$227,623	$18,969	$4,377	$109

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Key Factors That Influence Software Development Director Salaries

A Software Development 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 Software Development Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Development 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:

Software Developer IV (7+ years): $164,870
Software Developer V (7-10 years): $189,513
Software Development Manager (10+ years): $187,693
Software Development Director (10+ years): $237,099
Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development (10+ years): $267,368

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Software Developer IV	7+ years	$164,870
Software Developer V	7-10 years	$189,513
Software Development Manager	10+ years	$187,693
Software Development Director	10+ years	$237,099
Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development	10+ years	$267,368

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How Do Software Development Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Software Development Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $237,113.
California: $236,213.
Massachusetts: $233,073.

District of Columbia $237,113 California $236,213 Massachusetts $233,073 Washington $232,213 New Jersey $232,123 Alaska $231,823 Connecticut $228,873 New York $227,673

Hawaii $223,843 Rhode Island $222,043 Maryland $220,823 Minnesota $219,153 Colorado $218,513 Illinois $218,293 Oregon $217,483 Delaware $216,883

New Hampshire $216,503 Virginia $215,663 Pennsylvania $213,193 Nevada $211,953 North Dakota $211,553 Michigan $210,903 Wisconsin $210,673 Vermont $210,203

Texas $208,893 Maine $208,803 Arizona $208,683 Ohio $208,533 Georgia $206,563 Indiana $205,573 Wyoming $205,383 Utah $205,083

Iowa $204,953 Kansas $203,923 Louisiana $203,623 North Carolina $203,523 Missouri $203,473 Florida $202,643 Montana $202,193 Nebraska $201,763

Kentucky $201,523 South Carolina $200,673 Tennessee $200,133 Idaho $199,923 New Mexico $198,353 Oklahoma $198,013 Alabama $196,753 South Dakota $194,633

Arkansas $193,473 West Virginia $192,853 Mississippi $190,993

Top Paying Cities for Software Development 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:

Parcel Return Service: $237,113
Washington: $237,113
Naval Anacost Annex: $237,113

Parcel Return Service, DC $237,113 Washington, DC $237,113 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $237,113 Washington Navy Yard, DC $237,113

Software Development Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Development 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 March 01, 2026

$227,623

Average $237,113/year

$251,263

$18,969

Average $19,759/month

$20,939

$4,377

Average $4,560/week

$4,832

$109

Average $114/hour

$121

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$251,263	$20,939	$4,832	$121
Average	$237,113	$19,759	$4,560	$114
25th Percentile	$227,623	$18,969	$4,377	$109

Software Development Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Development Director

Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development

For a Software Development Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Executive Director of Software Engineering/Application Development role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $267,400 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

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