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Associate Director, Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Director, Engineering make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Director, Engineering in the United States is $196,424 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $94.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $221,254
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $184,661 to $209,421
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $173,951
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Associate Director, Engineering Salaries

An Associate Director, Engineering'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 Associate Director, Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Director, Engineering'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): $151,908
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $174,951
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $195,468
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $228,983
  • Expert (over 8 years): $287,491
Levels Salary
Engineeri... Level Associate Director, Engineering$151,908
Engineeri... Level Associate Director, Engineering$174,951
Associate... Level Associate Director, Engineering$195,468
VP of Eng... Level Associate Director, Engineering$228,983
SVP of En... Level Associate Director, Engineering$287,491
View as Graph

How Do Associate Director, Engineering 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 Associate Director, Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $217,481.
  • California: $216,656.
  • Massachusetts: $213,768.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Director, Engineerings

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: $247,750
  • San Francisco: $245,037
  • Oakland: $239,873

What Skills Can Increase an Associate Director, Engineering'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 an Associate Director, Engineering'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 $208,209
6%
Product Management $206,245
5%
Open Source $206,245
5%
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Associate Director, Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Director, Engineering 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, Associate Director, Engineering positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Director, Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Director, Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$235,709$113.020%
Biotechnology$235,709$113.020%
Chemicals$235,709$113.020%
Energy & Utilities$235,709$113.020%
Financial Services$235,709$113.020%

How Education impacts an Associate Director, Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Director, Engineerings enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Associate Director, Engineering with a Bachelor's Degree is between $193,964 and $204,362).

Associate Director, Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Director, Engineering
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 2.5%
Associates 1.8%
Bachelors 37.5%
Masters 46.2%
Doctorate 11.8%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Associate Director, Engineering'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
$184,661
Average $196,424/year
$209,421
$15,388
Average $16,369/month
$17,452
$3,551
Average $3,777/week
$4,027
$89
Average $94/hour
$101
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $209,421 $17,452 $4,027 $101
Average $196,424 $16,369 $3,777 $94
25th Percentile $184,661 $15,388 $3,551 $89

Most common benefits for Associate Director, Engineering

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

Common company salaries for Associate Director, Engineering

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

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FAQ about Associate Director, Engineering

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

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

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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