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Director Salary in the United States
How much does a Director make in the United States?
$161,997 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$60,068 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$219,352.49
Entry Level
$100,695
Median
$159,284
Senior Level
$254,327
As of July, 23, 2026, the average director gross salary in United States is $161,997 or an equivalent hourly rate of $78. In addition, directors earn an average bonus of $60,068. An entry level director with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $100,695. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level director with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $254,327. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Director
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Director in the United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Director will be $166,517 in 1 year and $185,896 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$171,164
Average Growth
5.7 %
The estimated salary for a Director in 2 years is $171,164, which is 5.7 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Director Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Directors.
- 4% of Directors have less than a High School Diploma
- 15% of Directors have a High School Diploma
- 3% of Directors have an Associate's Degree
- 27% of Directors have a Bachelor's Degree
- 43% of Directors have a Master's Degree
- 8% of Directors have a Doctorate Degree
Popular Skills for a Director
Implements goals
79%
Coordinates activities
64%
Reviews materials
58%
Division administration
48%
Organization Administration
46%
Aids Executive
34%
These are the most popular skills for Directors. About 79% of Directors have a skill in Implements goals. The top 3 most popular skills for Directors are implements goals, coordinates activities, and reviews materials.
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Where can a Director earn more?
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Director Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in the United States
Data not available.
Director Jobs
View moreCost of Living in the United States
The cost of living in the United States is equal to the national average.
0% equal to
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Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Director do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.
How much does a Director make in the United States?
The average salary for a Director is $161,997 per year or $77.88 per hour in the United States. Top earners have reported making up to $254,327. However, the typical pay range in the United States is between $100,695 and $254,327 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Director?
Director is projected to see a 14.8 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Director salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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