Director of Leadership Development Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of Leadership Development in the United States is $200,756 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $97.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $234,175
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $183,051 to $218,249
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $166,932
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View as table View as graph 25% $183,051 10% $166,932 90% $234,175 75% $218,249 $200,756 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Director of Leadership Development Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $218,249 $18,187 $4,197 $105
Average $200,756 $16,730 $3,861 $97
25th Percentile $183,051 $15,254 $3,520 $88
Check out Director of Leadership Development Job Openings in the United States
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Leadership Development Program Associate

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Dynamic Leadership Development Coach - Remote Opportunity

Aspire 2 Inspire Now - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Director of Leadership Development Salaries

A Director of Leadership Development'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 Director of Leadership Development Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director of Leadership Development'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): $92,657
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $115,627
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $141,488
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $162,656
  • Expert (over 8 years): $199,470
Levels Salary
Leadershi... Level Director of Leadership Development$92,657
Leadershi... Level Director of Leadership Development$115,627
Leadershi... Level Director of Leadership Development$141,488
Leadershi... Level Director of Leadership Development$162,656
Director ... Level Director of Leadership Development$199,470
$92,657 0 yr
$115,627 < 2 yrs
$141,488 2-4 yrs
$162,656 5-8 yrs
$199,470 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Director of Leadership Development 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 Leadership Developments. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $222,277.
  • California: $221,434.
  • Massachusetts: $218,483.

Top Paying Cities for Director of Leadership Developments

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: $253,214
  • San Francisco: $250,441
  • Oakland: $245,163

Director of Leadership Development Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director of Leadership Development roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Director of Leadership Development positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Director of Leadership Development as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Director of Leadership Development

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$281,058$135.040%
Software & Networking$271,021$130.035%
Internet$260,983$125.030%
Construction$250,945$121.025%
Aerospace & Defense$240,907$116.020%

Director of Leadership Development Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director of Leadership Development'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 Leadership Development

Salaries for a Director of Leadership Development can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $161,777 in 2023 to around $160,832 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Director of Leadership Development salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Director of Leadership Development Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$161,777
2024
$162,603
2025
$160,832
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $161,777
2024 $162,603
2025 $160,832
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Director of Leadership Development

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

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

Find Your Next Director of Leadership Development Job

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

United States
  • Ohio Children's Alliance

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio Children's Alliance | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Location: Columbus, Ohio% of Travel: 25%Organization: The Ohio Children's AlliancePosition Type: Full-Time, Hybrid--Staff... more

    3 Days Ago

  • International Friendships, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    International Friendships, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Introducing IFI, and why you want to be a Director of Development with us:International Friendships, Inc. is a growing fa... more

    5 Days Ago

  • American Medical Associates

    Columbus, OH

    American Medical Associates | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Regional Director of Business Development. Located throughout the. Southern Ohio region. ~Salary Range $110K - $125K Per ... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Ohio State University

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Director Of Development, College Of DentistryThe Director of Development will understand the mission, needs and value proposition of the university and the... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio

    Columbus, OH

    Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Director of Affordable Housing DevelopmentFull Time | Day ShiftLutheran Social Services of Central Ohio is currently seek... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Network Connex

    Columbus, OH

    Network Connex | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. If being a part of a world-class organization that operates in some of the most advanced technology environments around t... more

    2 Days Ago

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FAQ about Director of Leadership Development

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Director of Leadership Development roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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