Assistant Director of Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Director of Engineering make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Director of Engineering in the United States is $206,877 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $99.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $233,033
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $194,459 to $220,568
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $183,153
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View as table View as graph 25% $194,459 10% $183,153 90% $233,033 75% $220,568 $206,877 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Assistant Director of Engineering Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $220,568 $18,381 $4,242 $106
Average $206,877 $17,240 $3,978 $99
25th Percentile $194,459 $16,205 $3,740 $93
Check out Assistant Director of Engineering Job Openings in the United States
Midwest Engineering Director

Toole Design - Columbus, OH

Director of Civil Engineering

Harrison Consulting Solutions - Columbus, OH

Senior Director Software Engineering

JPMorganChase - Columbus, OH

Director of Software Engineering

hackajob - Columbus, OH

Search More Assistant Director of Engineering Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Director of Engineering Salaries

An Assistant Director of 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 Assistant Director of Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Director of 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): $160,005
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $184,263
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $205,870
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $241,149
  • Expert (over 8 years): $302,749
Levels Salary
Engineeri... Level Assistant Director of Engineering$160,005
Engineeri... Level Assistant Director of Engineering$184,263
Assistant... Level Assistant Director of Engineering$205,870
VP of Eng... Level Assistant Director of Engineering$241,149
SVP of En... Level Assistant Director of Engineering$302,749
$160,005 0 yr
$184,263 < 2 yrs
$205,870 2-4 yrs
$241,149 5-8 yrs
$302,749 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $229,054.
  • California: $228,185.
  • Massachusetts: $225,144.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Director of 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: $260,934
  • San Francisco: $258,077
  • Oakland: $252,638

What Skills Can Increase an Assistant Director of 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 10.97%
Software Engineering 2.44%
Plumbing 1.88%
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 Assistant Director of 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
$219,290
6%
Product Management
$217,221
5%
Open Source
$217,221
5%
Product Engineering
$217,221
5%
Software Engineering
$217,221
5%
Computer Science
$217,221
5%
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Assistant Director of Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for an Assistant Director of Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$248,252$119.020%
Biotechnology$248,252$119.020%
Chemicals$248,252$119.020%
Energy & Utilities$248,252$119.020%
Financial Services$248,252$119.020%

How Education impacts an Assistant Director of Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Director of 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 Assistant Director of Engineering with a Bachelor's Degree is between $193,964 and $204,362).

Assistant Director of Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant Director of 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%
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Assistant Director of Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Director of 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Assistant Director of Engineering

Salaries for an Assistant Director of Engineering can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $198,119 in 2023 to around $198,689 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Assistant Director of Engineering salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Assistant Director of Engineering Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$198,119
2024
$201,476
2025
$198,689
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $198,119
2024 $201,476
2025 $198,689
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Assistant Director of Engineering

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

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

Find Your Next Assistant Director of Engineering Job

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

United States
  • Socket.dev

    Columbus, OH

    Socket.dev | Columbus, OH

    Your opportunity to make a real impact and shape the future of financial services is waiting for you. Let’s push the boundaries of what's possible together... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement

    Columbus, OH

    Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement | Columbus, OH

    We're building a world of health around every individual – shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you'll... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Next Frontier Capital

    Columbus, OH

    Next Frontier Capital | Columbus, OH

    JPMorgan Chase is on a journey to be the most recommended financial partner for small business owners in our communities as they start, run, and grow their... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Fairygodboss

    Columbus, OH

    Fairygodboss | Columbus, OH

    If you are a software engineering leader ready to take the reins and drive impact, we've got an opportunity just for you. As a Director of Software Enginee... more

    5 Days Ago

  • JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co.

    Columbus, OH

    JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. | Columbus, OH

    If you are a software engineering leader ready to take the reins and drive impact, we’ve got an opportunity just for you. As a Director of Software Enginee... more

    7 Days Ago

  • JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co.

    Columbus, OH

    JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. | Columbus, OH

    Your opportunity to make a real impact and shape the future of financial services is waiting for you. Let's push the boundaries of what's possible together... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Assistant Director of Engineering

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Assistant Director of 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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