Director Of Economic Development Salary in the United States

How much does a Director Of Economic Development make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director Of Economic Development in the United States is $112,212 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,645
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,498 to $128,665
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,281
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View as table View as graph 25% $95,498 10% $80,281 90% $143,645 75% $128,665 $112,212 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Director Of Economic Development Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $128,665 $10,722 $2,474 $62
Average $112,212 $9,351 $2,158 $54
25th Percentile $95,498 $7,958 $1,836 $46
Check out Director Of Economic Development Job Openings in the United States
Director of Development

Ohio Children's Alliance - Columbus, OH

Director of Development

International Friendships, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Managing Director of Development

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Managing Director Business Development

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Search More Director Of Economic Development Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Director Of Economic Development Salaries

A Director Of Economic 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Director Of Economic Development Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director Of Economic 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): $81,197
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $100,194
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $113,373
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $148,275
  • Expert (over 8 years): $289,350
Levels Salary
Developme... Level Director Of Economic Development$81,197
Developme... Level Director Of Economic Development$100,194
Director ... Level Director Of Economic Development$113,373
Developme... Level Director Of Economic Development$148,275
VP of Dev... Level Director Of Economic Development$289,350
$81,197 0 yr
$100,194 < 2 yrs
$113,373 2-4 yrs
$148,275 5-8 yrs
$289,350 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Director Of Economic 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 Economic Developments. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $124,241.
  • California: $123,770.
  • Massachusetts: $122,120.

Top Paying Cities for Director Of Economic 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: $141,533
  • San Francisco: $139,983
  • Oakland: $137,033

What Skills Can Increase a Director Of Economic Development's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 8.09% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Fund Development (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): Fund development is the ongoing strategic positioning of an organization to sustain and grow its resources by building relationships with those who understand and care about the organization's relevance to the community.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 0.99% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 8.09%
Fund Development 1.77%
Economics 0.99%
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 Economic Development's salary.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management
$115,578
3%
Analysis
$115,578
3%
Business Development
$114,456
2%
Commitment
$114,456
2%
Salesforce
$114,456
2%
Presentation
$114,456
2%
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Director Of Economic Development Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director Of Economic Development roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Director Of Economic Development positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Director Of Economic Development as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Director Of Economic Development

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$123,433$59.010%

How Education impacts a Director Of Economic Development's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Director Of Economic Developments 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 Economic Development with a Bachelor's Degree is between $124,811 and $142,592).

Director Of Economic Development Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Director Of Economic Development
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 3.1%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 49.7%
Masters 39.8%
Doctorate 4.6%
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Director Of Economic Development Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director Of Economic 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 Economic Development

Salaries for a Director Of Economic Development can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $105,082 in 2023 to around $104,956 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Director Of Economic Development salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Director Of Economic Development Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$105,082
2024
$105,449
2025
$104,956
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $105,082
2024 $105,449
2025 $104,956
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Director Of Economic Development

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

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

Find Your Next Director Of Economic Development Job

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

United States
  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Managing Director, Business Development. About the Company. Globally recognized provider of strategic advisory services for arts organizations. Industry. P... more

    9 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

    9 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Managing Director, Business Development. About the Company. Unique Executive Service company unmatched in the marketplace. Industry. Management Consulting.... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Director, Business Development. About the Company. Premier Fortune Global 500 company offering global supply chain, warehousing and specialized logi... more

    10 Days 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

    10 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

    10 Days Ago

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FAQ about Director Of Economic Development

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Director Of Economic Development?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Director Of Economic Development 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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