As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Engineering Director in the United States is $196,316 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $94.
However, a Project Engineering Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Project 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Project 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Project Engineering Senior Supervisor | 3-5 years | $117,055 |
| Project Engineering Manager | 5+ years | $150,477 |
| Project Engineering Senior Manager | 5+ years | $172,220 |
| Project Engineering Director | 5+ years | $196,316 |
| Project Engineering Senior Director | 5+ years | $219,487 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Project Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Understanding how a Project 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 May 01, 2026For a Project Engineering Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Project Engineering role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $219,487 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.
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A Project Engineering Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Project Engineering Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Project Engineering Director is $247,613.
The highest pay for Project Engineering Director is $253,941.
The lowest pay for Project Engineering Director is $181,031.
Plans and directs engineering design activities across multiple projects or product lines to ensure alignment with organizational goals, budgets, and timelines. Drives the development and execution of complex engineering solutions, from concept through testing and deployment. Approves major design decisions and project changes with significant impact on scope, cost, or schedule. Establishes performance metrics and ensures continuous improvement across engineering functions. Collaborates with executive leadership to shape long-term product and technology strategies. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.
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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