Exec Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Exec Director make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Exec Director in the United States is $140,208 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $167,163
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $127,484 to $154,317
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,899
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View as table View as graph 25% $127,484 10% $115,899 90% $167,163 75% $154,317 $140,208 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Exec Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $154,317 $12,860 $2,968 $74
Average $140,208 $11,684 $2,696 $67
25th Percentile $127,484 $10,624 $2,452 $61
Check out Exec Director Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Exec Director Salaries

An Exec 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Exec Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Exec 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): $133,846
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $134,907
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $136,320
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $138,088
  • Expert (over 8 years): $139,855
Levels Salary
Entry Level Exec Director$133,846
Intermediate Level Exec Director$134,907
Senior Level Exec Director$136,320
Specialist Level Exec Director$138,088
Expert Level Exec Director$139,855
$133,846 0 yr
$134,907 < 2 yrs
$136,320 2-4 yrs
$138,088 5-8 yrs
$139,855 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Exec Director 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 Exec Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $155,238.
  • California: $154,649.
  • Massachusetts: $152,588.

Top Paying Cities for Exec 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:

  • San Jose: $176,844
  • San Francisco: $175,106
  • Oakland: $171,222

What Skills Can Increase an Exec Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 10.85% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Merchandising (Mentioned in 1.34% Job Postings): In the broadest sense, merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer. At a retail in-store level, merchandising refers to the variety of products available for sale and the display of those products in such a way that it stimulates interest and entices customers to make a purchase. In the profession of merchandising you are either employed by the store in which you work, or by an independent distributor. As a professional merchandiser, in a retail setting, you will not only know your products(I.e. coffee, juice, soda, etc.) but you will gauge other “vendors” like products as you tend to your job. Working with the store and other merchandisers, shelf space is often given or taken as need be in some locations(for some young merchandisers this is known as “war”) In retail commerce, visual display merchandising means merchandise sales using product design, selection, packaging, pricing, and display that stimulates consumers to spend more. This includes disciplines and discounting, physical presentation of products and displays, and the decisions about which products should be presented to which customers at what time.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 1.11% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 10.85%
Merchandising 1.34%
Housekeeping 1.11%
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 Exec Director's salary.
  • CVS: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Analytical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Influencing: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CVS
$152,827
9%
Analytical Skills
$151,425
8%
Influencing
$150,023
7%
Lean
$148,620
6%
Customer Satisfaction
$148,620
6%
KPI
$148,620
6%
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How Education impacts an Exec Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Exec Directors 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 Exec Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $148,973 and $156,355).

Exec Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Exec Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 11.9%
Associates 7.5%
Bachelors 44.7%
Masters 32.9%
Doctorate 2.2%
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Exec Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Exec 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.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Exec Director

Salaries for an Exec Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $124,907 in 2023 to around $122,927 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Exec Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Exec Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$124,907
2024
$123,965
2025
$122,927
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $124,907
2024 $123,965
2025 $122,927
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Exec Director

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

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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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