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Technical Engineering Director Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Technical Engineering Director in the United States is $201,020 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $97.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $226,181
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $188,810 to $214,190
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $177,693
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Technical Engineering Director Salaries

A Technical 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 Technical Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Technical 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:

  • General Engineering Manager (5+ years): $156,220
  • General Engineering Senior Manager (5+ years): $179,917
  • Technical Engineering Director (5+ years): $201,016
  • Division VP of Engineering (5+ years): $235,482
  • Senior Vice President of Engineering (5+ years): $295,651
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
General Engineering Manager5+ years$156,220
General Engineering Senior Manager5+ years$179,917
Technical Engineering Director5+ years$201,016
Division VP of Engineering5+ years$235,482
Senior Vice President of Engineering5+ years$295,651
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How Do Technical Engineering 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 Technical Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $222,570.
  • California: $221,730.
  • Massachusetts: $218,770.

Top Paying Cities for Technical 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: $253,550
  • San Francisco: $250,770
  • Oakland: $245,490

What Skills Can Increase a Technical Engineering Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 10.97% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Software Engineering (Mentioned in 2.44% Job Postings): Software engineering is the application of engineering to the development of software in a systematic method. Notable definitions of software engineering include: "the systematic application of scientific and technological knowledge, methods, and experience to the design, implementation, testing, and documentation of software"—The Bureau of Labor Statistics—IEEE Systems and software engineering - Vocabulary "The application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software"—IEEE Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology "an engineering discipline that is concerned with all aspects of software production"—Ian Sommerville "the establishment and use of sound engineering principles in order to economically obtain software that is reliable and works efficiently on real machines"—Fritz Bauer
  • Plumbing (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Plumbing is any system that conveys fluids for a wide range of applications. Plumbing uses pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures, tanks, and other apparatuses to convey fluids. Heating and cooling (HVAC), waste removal, and potable water delivery are among the most common uses for plumbing, but it is not limited to these applications. The word derives from the Latin for lead, plumbum, as the first effective pipes used in the Roman era were lead pipes. In the developed world, plumbing infrastructure is critical to public health and sanitation. Boilermakers and pipefitters are not plumbers although they work with piping as part of their trade and their work can include some plumbing.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 10.97%
Software Engineering 2.44%
Plumbing 1.88%
See More Skills

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 Technical Engineering Director's salary.

  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Product Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Open Source: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Machine Learning $213,081
6%
Product Management $211,071
5%
Open Source $211,071
5%
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Technical Engineering Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Technical Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $224,648. While startup companies pay approximate $190,029.

Technical Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $190,029
Growth Stage 51~500 $200,975
Established 501~5000 $216,927
Enterprise 5000+ $224,648

Technical Engineering Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Technical Engineering Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Technical Engineering Director positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Technical Engineering Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Technical Engineering Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$241,224$116.020%
Biotechnology$241,224$116.020%
Chemicals$241,224$116.020%
Energy & Utilities$241,224$116.020%
Financial Services$241,224$116.020%

Technical Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Technical 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 September 01, 2026
$188,810
Average $201,020/year
$214,190
$15,734
Average $16,752/month
$17,849
$3,631
Average $3,866/week
$4,119
$91
Average $97/hour
$103
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $214,190 $17,849 $4,119 $103
Average $201,020 $16,752 $3,866 $97
25th Percentile $188,810 $15,734 $3,631 $91

Technical Engineering Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Technical Engineering Director

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Advancement

For a Technical Engineering Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Division VP of Engineering role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $235,500 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Technical Engineering Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Technical Engineering Director

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

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FAQ about Technical Engineering Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Technical Engineering Director?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Technical Engineering Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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

The highest salary for a Technical Engineering Director is $227,340 per year. This role typically offers a minimum salary of $190,050 and a mid-range salary of $208,330, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities associated with the position.

3. Who is paid more a manager or director?

Generally speaking, managers typically earn between $40,000 and $112,000. In contrast, Technical Engineering Directors have a significantly higher salary range, with a minimum of $190,050, a mid-salary of $208,330, and a maximum of $227,340. This clearly indicates that directors are compensated more than managers.

4. How much more should a VP make than a director?

A Technical Engineering Director typically earns between $190,050 and $227,340 annually, with a mid-salary of $208,330. In comparison, a VP generally earns more, reflecting a significant increase in responsibility and leadership. The difference in salary can vary, but it is reasonable to expect a VP to earn at least $30,000 to $50,000 more than a director.

5. Which engineering is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineering role in the USA is the Technical Engineering Director, with a salary range from $190,050 to $227,340. The median salary for this position is approximately $208,330, making it one of the top-paying engineering jobs in the country.

6. What does a technical director earn?

A Technical Engineering Director typically earns between $190,050 and $227,340 annually, with a median salary around $208,330. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the role, providing a competitive compensation package in the industry.

7. What is the highest salary of a director?

The salary for a Technical Engineering Director ranges from $190,050 to $227,340 annually, with a midpoint of $208,330. This data reflects the compensation for directors in this specific field, highlighting the competitive nature of salaries in technical engineering roles.

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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