Software Systems Engineering Director Salary in California

How much does a Software Systems Engineering Director make in California?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Systems Engineering Director in California is $213,706 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $103.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $244,642
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $195,090 to $229,899
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $178,141
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View as table View as graph 25% $195,090 10% $178,141 90% $244,642 75% $229,899 $213,706 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 $229,899 $19,158 $4,421 $111
Average $213,706 $17,809 $4,110 $103
25th Percentile $195,090 $16,257 $3,752 $94
Check out Software Systems Engineering Director Job Openings in California
Corporate Software Engineering Director

Northrop Grumman - El Segundo, CA

Corporate Software Engineering Director

Northrop Grumman - San Diego, CA

Communication Systems Engineering

Aerospace Corporation - El Segundo, CA

Corporate Software Engineering Director

Northrop Grumman - Los Angeles, CA

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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 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): $202,314
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $203,981
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $206,204
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $208,983
  • Expert (over 8 years): $211,761
Levels Salary
Entry Level Software Systems Engineering Director$202,314
Intermediate Level Software Systems Engineering Director$203,981
Senior Level Software Systems Engineering Director$206,204
Specialist Level Software Systems Engineering Director$208,983
Expert Level Software Systems Engineering Director$211,761
$202,314 0 yr
$203,981 < 2 yrs
$206,204 2-4 yrs
$208,983 5-8 yrs
$211,761 > 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:

  • Los Angeles: $214,617
  • West Hollywood: $214,617
  • Dodgertown: $214,617

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$195,090
Average $213,706/year
$229,899
$16,257
Average $17,809/month
$19,158
$3,752
Average $4,110/week
$4,421
$94
Average $103/hour
$111
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $229,899 $19,158 $4,421 $111
Average $213,706 $17,809 $4,110 $103
25th Percentile $195,090 $16,257 $3,752 $94

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 $279,856 - a projected growth of 31% over your current level.

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Cost of Living In California

Cost of Living in California is
10.3% Higher
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