Entry-level Engineering Director salary in Washington, DC
Based on 10 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Herndon, Manassas, Rockville, Chantilly, Monrovia.
Also listed as: Architectural and Engineering Manager, Manager Hardware Engineering
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $131,981 |
| 25th | $140,971 |
| 50th (median) | $148,108 |
| 75th | $150,000 |
| 90th | $153,013 |
Cost of living
Washington's median entry-level Engineering Director salary of $148,108 is worth about $136,000 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Washington = 108.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Architectural and Engineering Managers in the Washington, DC area earned a median of $185,220 in May 2025 (5,500 employed). The H-1B median here is $148,108, 20% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $148,108 | 10 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $168,350 | 10 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 2 |
| Expert · Level IV | $208,043 | 10 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $131,810 | $148,108 | 10 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $153,442 | $168,350 | 10 |
| Expert · Level IV | $206,086 | $208,043 | 10 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.