Compare advertised VP of Engineering pay by looking at the type of pay, location and scope of each posting.
Updated monthly. This is the November 2026 edition.
Advertised base salary · VP of Engineering · San Francisco, CA · Checked November 11, 2026
Locations in this sample
San Francisco, CA (1) · Boston, MA, hybrid (1)
| Role and location | Advertised pay | Date and offer terms |
|---|---|---|
VP of EngineeringSan Francisco, CA | $345,000 to $355,000 per year Advertised base salary | Checked November 11, 2026 Hands-on engineering for a private equity portfolio. The posting mentions a discretionary bonus and eligibility to share in investment profits. Amounts were undisclosed. |
Vice President of Engineering, utility technologyBoston, MA, hybrid | $230,000 to $250,000 Advertised annual salary | Posted The posting also lists a 25% bonus and equity. The equity amount is undisclosed. The role covers software and hardware delivery. |
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Start with the advertised pay and the work location. Compare roles that give you similar responsibilities and authority.
Separate recurring base salary, conditional bonus, stock awards and benefits. Examples are labeled; general guidance is not a measured pay range.
The posted portfolio engineering example mentions a discretionary bonus and eligibility to share in investment profits. Ask which investments count, when profits are distributed and whether you retain any right to payments after leaving. The posting gives no dollar amount for either incentive.
Ask which engineering teams, hiring decisions and delivery commitments you would own. Confirm whether the role also covers product, security or infrastructure.
An advertised range describes one opening. The written offer explains how its different parts are paid.
Use this software and systems management comparison for context on software engineering leadership. The occupation includes several management levels and internal IT.
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Middle 50% | Difference from U.S. median |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $175,140 | $138,060 to $220,730 | National reference |
| San Francisco | $232,890 | $203,840 to $313,220 | +$57,750 +33.0% |
| New York City | $215,300 | $171,950 to $285,570 | +$40,160 +22.9% |
| Boston | $214,960 | $174,270 to $269,520 | +$39,820 +22.7% |
| Washington, DC | $195,190 | $171,120 to $228,800 | +$20,050 +11.4% |
| Atlanta / Alpharetta | $177,970 | $153,870 to $219,270 | +$2,830 +1.6% |
| Austin | $176,990 | $142,850 to $220,450 | +$1,850 +1.1% |
| Charlotte | $176,840 | $145,120 to $223,040 | +$1,700 +1.0% |
| Dallas | $173,810 | $143,080 to $215,260 | -$1,330 -0.8% |
| Chicago | $173,760 | $138,190 to $214,880 | -$1,380 -0.8% |
| Miami | $169,600 | $128,390 to $210,860 | -$5,540 -3.2% |
| Nashville | $165,970 | $133,190 to $206,720 | -$9,170 -5.2% |
Wage data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Retrieved . BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.
Among the metros shown, San Francisco ($232,890), New York City ($215,300) and Boston ($214,960) had the highest published median annual wages for Computer and Information Systems Managers in May 2025. The U.S. median for the same occupation was $175,140.
Each example lists the pay type supplied in that posting. Use it to compare offers with similar responsibilities, locations and pay terms.
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