VP of Engineering Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$260,000
national median salary
$195,000 to $340,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$348,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$270,000
Washington DC, DC
Lowest Paying
$229,000
St. Louis, MO
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average VP of Engineering salary in the United States is $260,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $195,000 at the 25th percentile to $340,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $348,000, while Washington DC offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Engineering team size, system complexity, and technical domain expertise are the primary drivers.
VP of Engineering salary by city
What you should know
Engineering team size, system complexity, and technical domain expertise are the primary drivers. VPs managing 50 or more engineers across multiple teams command top-tier compensation. Those overseeing distributed systems at scale, AI infrastructure, or security-critical platforms earn premiums over general application engineering leaders.
Engineering managers earn $170,000 to $210,000. Directors of engineering advance to $200,000 to $260,000. VPs at growth-stage companies make $240,000 to $310,000. VPs at large tech companies earn $310,000 to $400,000 in base with total comp of $600,000 to $1.5 million.
Equity is the largest variable, with RSUs or options worth $200,000 to $800,000 annually at public tech companies. Cash bonuses of 20 to 30% of base tied to engineering velocity, reliability metrics, and talent retention are standard. Retention grants are common.