Software Systems Engineering Director Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Systems Engineering Director in the United States is $193,750 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $93.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $221,797
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $176,872 to $208,431
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $161,505
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View as table View as graph 25% $176,872 10% $161,505 90% $221,797 75% $208,431 $193,750 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Systems Engineering Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $208,431 $17,369 $4,008 $100
Average $193,750 $16,146 $3,726 $93
25th Percentile $176,872 $14,739 $3,401 $85
Check out Software Systems Engineering Director Job Openings in the United States
DIRECTOR OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING NORTH CAROLINA UR

Cyberstrike Group - MOUNT AIRY, NC

Director of Software Engineering

Eccalon LLC - HANOVER, MD

Corporate Software Engineering Director

Northrop Grumman - HUNTSVILLE, AL

Corporate Software Engineering Director

Northrop Grumman - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

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Key Factors That Influence Software Systems Engineering Director Salaries

A Software Systems 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software Systems Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Systems 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $183,422
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $184,933
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $186,948
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $189,468
  • Expert (over 8 years): $191,987
Levels Salary
Entry Level Software Systems Engineering Director$183,422
Intermediate Level Software Systems Engineering Director$184,933
Senior Level Software Systems Engineering Director$186,948
Specialist Level Software Systems Engineering Director$189,468
Expert Level Software Systems Engineering Director$191,987
$183,422 0 yr
$184,933 < 2 yrs
$186,948 2-4 yrs
$189,468 5-8 yrs
$191,987 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Systems 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: $244,377
  • San Francisco: $241,974
  • Oakland: $236,608

What Skills Can Increase a Software Systems Engineering Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 16.12% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Food Service (Mentioned in 1.71% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home.
  • Cardiac (Mentioned in 1.34% Job Postings): Cardiac means relating to the heart. The adjective cardiac is most often used in a medical context: a doctor who operates on people's hearts is a cardiac surgeon and an irregular heart beat is called "cardiac arrhythmia."
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 16.12%
Food Service 1.71%
Cardiac 1.34%
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 Software Systems Engineering Director's salary.
  • Cardiac: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Cardiac
 $218,938
13%
Products and Services
 $213,125
10%
AWS
 $211,188
9%
WAN
 $209,250
8%
Clinical Leadership
 $205,375
6%
Critical Thinking
 $201,500
4%
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How Education impacts a Software Systems Engineering Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Systems Engineering Directors enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Software Systems Engineering Director with a No Diploma is between $186,129 and $204,670).

Software Systems Engineering Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Systems Engineering Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 50.0%
High School 50.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 50.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Software Systems Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Systems 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$176,872
Average $193,750/year
$208,431
$14,739
Average $16,146/month
$17,369
$3,401
Average $3,726/week
$4,008
$85
Average $93/hour
$100
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $208,431 $17,369 $4,008 $100
Average $193,750 $16,146 $3,726 $93
25th Percentile $176,872 $14,739 $3,401 $85

Software Systems Engineering Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Systems Engineering Director
VP of Software Systems Development
SVP of Software Systems Development

For a Software Systems Engineering Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Software Systems Development role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $253,723 - a projected growth of 31% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Software Systems Engineering Director

Salary Trends for Software Systems Engineering Director

Salaries for a Software Systems Engineering Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $185,158 in 2023 to around $179,481 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Systems Engineering Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Systems Engineering Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$185,158
2024
$181,393
2025
$179,481
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $185,158
2024 $181,393
2025 $179,481
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Software Systems Engineering Director

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

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FAQ about Software Systems Engineering Director

1. Where can a Software Systems Engineering Director earn the most?

A Software Systems 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 Software Systems Engineering Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Systems Engineering Director is $244,377.

2. What is the highest pay for Software Systems Engineering Director?

The highest pay for Software Systems Engineering Director is $221,797.

3. What is the lowest pay for Software Systems Engineering Director?

The lowest pay for Software Systems Engineering Director is $161,505.

4. What are the responsibilities of Software Systems Engineering Director?

Oversees the design, development, and long-term strategy of an organization's systems infrastructure to ensure scalability, security, and efficiency. Provides leadership in the architecture and integration of operating systems, drivers, and utility tools to align with business objectives. Establishes standards, policies, and best practices for systems management, documentation, and deployment. Directs teams responsible for end-user support and partners with stakeholders to deliver reliable and innovative technology solutions. 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.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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