How much do engineering directors make?

Highly experienced engineering directors should expect to earn closer to $300,000 in a year, while new, inexperienced engineering directors should anticipate lower salaries that might range from $125,000 to $150,000 a year.

Additionally, education also impacts salary. While anyone can work hard and gain good experience and try to move into the role of engineering director, the most qualified (and therefore highest paid) candidates would possess a master's degree in their field.

Salary is also impacted by organizational structure. Salary depends largely on the size and complexity of the organization an engineering director works for. If the company is larger and more complex, the level of a director is typically higher within the company, which is harder to achieve and will typically pay more.

Alternatively, in smaller and flatter companies, a person can achieve the title of engineering director with less experience and will typically be paid less.

Finally, industry also impacts salary expectations for engineering directors. Industries that have a high reliance on their engineering teams (like technology, gas and oil, and industrial plants) will often pay their engineering directors significantly more money in order to pull in the best talent available.