Data Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Data Director make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Director in the United States is $182,893 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $88.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $214,060
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $172,409 to $199,207
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $162,864
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View as table View as graph 25% $172,409 10% $162,864 90% $214,060 75% $199,207 $182,893 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Data Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $199,207 $16,601 $3,831 $96
Average $182,893 $15,241 $3,517 $88
25th Percentile $172,409 $14,367 $3,316 $83
Check out Data Director Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Data Director Salaries

A Data 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 Data Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data 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): $109,371
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $139,542
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $181,694
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $198,891
  • Expert (over 8 years): $220,087
Levels Salary
Database ... Level Data Director$109,371
Database ... Level Data Director$139,542
Data Dire... Level Data Director$181,694
Database ... Level Data Director$198,891
VP of Dat... Level Data Director$220,087
$109,371 0 yr
$139,542 < 2 yrs
$181,694 2-4 yrs
$198,891 5-8 yrs
$220,087 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Data 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: $230,683
  • San Francisco: $228,157
  • Oakland: $223,349

What Skills Can Increase a Data Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 8.14% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Oracle (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): Applying Oracle to manage data and information applications effectively.
  • Line Management (Mentioned in 1.12% Job Postings): Line management refers to the management of employees who are directly involved in the production or delivery of products, goods and/or services
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 8.14%
Oracle 1.5%
Line Management 1.12%
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 Data Director's salary.
  • Quality Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Data Acquisition: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Client Relationship: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Quality Management
$199,353
9%
Data Acquisition
$193,867
6%
Client Relationship
$193,867
6%
KPI
$188,380
3%
Influencing
$188,380
3%
People Management
$188,380
3%
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How Education impacts a Data Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Data 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 a Data Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $181,486 and $192,070).

Data Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Data Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.3%
High School 4.3%
Associates 25.5%
Bachelors 68.1%
Masters 25.5%
Doctorate 2.1%
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Data Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Data 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 May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Data Director

Salaries for a Data Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $165,085 in 2023 to around $162,176 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Data Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Data Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$165,085
2024
$164,136
2025
$162,176
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $165,085
2024 $164,136
2025 $162,176
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Data Director

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