Director of IT Salary in the United States

How much does a Director of IT make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of IT in the United States is $201,930 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $97.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $228,441
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $185,045 to $215,807
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $169,672
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View as table View as graph 25% $185,045 10% $169,672 90% $228,441 75% $215,807 $201,930 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Director of IT Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $215,807 $17,984 $4,150 $104
Average $201,930 $16,828 $3,883 $97
25th Percentile $185,045 $15,420 $3,559 $89
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Key Factors That Influence Director of IT Salaries

A Director of IT'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 Director of IT Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director of IT'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): $133,123
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $162,469
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $200,909
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $246,926
  • Expert (over 8 years): $311,966
Levels Salary
Informati... Level Director of IT$133,123
Informati... Level Director of IT$162,469
Director ... Level Director of IT$200,909
VP of Inf... Level Director of IT$246,926
SVP of In... Level Director of IT$311,966
$133,123 0 yr
$162,469 < 2 yrs
$200,909 2-4 yrs
$246,926 5-8 yrs
$311,966 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Director of IT 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 Director of ITs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $223,577.
  • California: $222,729.
  • Massachusetts: $219,760.

Top Paying Cities for Director of ITs

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: $254,694
  • San Francisco: $251,906
  • Oakland: $246,597

What Skills Can Increase a Director of IT's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 11.95% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Advertising (Mentioned in 1.49% Job Postings): Advertising is a marketing communication that employs an openly sponsored, non-personal message to promote or sell a product, service or idea.:465 Sponsors of advertising are typically businesses wishing to promote their products or services. Advertising is differentiated from public relations in that an advertiser pays for and has control over the message. It differs from personal selling in that the message is non-personal, i.e., not directed to a particular individual.:661,672 Advertising is communicated through various mass media, including traditional media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, outdoor advertising or direct mail; and new media such as search results, blogs, social media, websites or text messages. The actual presentation of the message in a medium is referred to as an advertisement, or "ad" or advert for short. Commercial ads often seek to generate increased consumption of their products or services through "branding", which associates a product name or image with certain qualities in the minds of consumers. On the other hand, ads that intend to elicit an immediate sale are known as direct-response advertising. Non-commercial entities that advertise more than consumer products or services include political parties, interest groups, religious organizations and governmental agencies. Non-profit organizations may use free modes of persuasion, such as a public service announcement. Advertising may also help to reassure employees or shareholders that a company is viable or successful.
  • Bookkeeping (Mentioned in 1.14% Job Postings): Bookkeeping is the recording of financial transactions, and is part of the process of accounting in business. Transactions include purchases, sales, receipts, and payments by an individual person or an organization/corporation. There are several standard methods of bookkeeping, including the single-entry and double-entry bookkeeping systems. While these may be viewed as "real" bookkeeping, any process for recording financial transactions is a bookkeeping process. Bookkeeping is the work of a bookkeeper (or book-keeper), who records the day-to-day financial transactions of a business. They usually write the daybooks (which contain records of sales, purchases, receipts, and payments), and document each financial transaction, whether cash or credit, into the correct daybook—that is, petty cash book, suppliers ledger, customer ledger, etc.—and the general ledger. Thereafter, an accountant can create financial reports from the information recorded by the bookkeeper.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 11.95%
Advertising 1.49%
Bookkeeping 1.14%
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 Director of IT's salary.
  • Advertising: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Housekeeping: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Advertising
$214,046
6%
Risk Management
$210,007
4%
Housekeeping
$207,988
3%
Insight
$207,988
3%
Decision Making
$205,969
2%
Collaboration
$205,969
2%
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Director of IT Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director of IT roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Director of IT positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Director of IT as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Director of IT

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$222,123$107.010%
Biotechnology$222,123$107.010%
Energy & Utilities$222,123$107.010%
Financial Services$222,123$107.010%
Healthcare$222,123$107.010%

How Education impacts a Director of IT's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Director of ITs 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 a Director of IT with a Bachelor's Degree is between $191,197 and $203,041).

Director of IT Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Director of IT
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 9.5%
Associates 8.0%
Bachelors 46.6%
Masters 33.4%
Doctorate 1.5%
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Director of IT Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director of IT'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Director of IT

Salaries for a Director of IT can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $161,931 in 2023 to around $159,276 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Director of IT salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Director of IT Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$161,931
2024
$160,937
2025
$159,276
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $161,931
2024 $160,937
2025 $159,276
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Director of IT

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Director of IT

Here are companies hiring for Director of IT and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Director of IT Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Director of IT job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    14 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    16 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    17 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    17 Days Ago

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FAQ about Director of IT

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Director of IT?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Director of IT roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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