VP of Engineering: career path and pay in the US
Where a VP of Engineering goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 3 steps, from VP of Engineering to VP of Engineering / CTO.
Also for the United Kingdom: VP of Engineering in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 10 to 12 years
VP of Engineering
$175K to $265K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: MBA (optional) - Global, BCS Advanced Certificate - UK/EU, PMP (optional) - Global.
Step 2 · 12 to 15 years
VP of Engineering / Senior VP of Engineering
$275K to $415K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: MBA (preferred) - Global, BCS Chartered IT Professional - UK/EU, Executive Education - Global.
Step 3 · 15+ years
VP of Engineering / CTO
$310K to $465K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: MBA - Global, BCS Chartered IT Professional - UK/EU, Executive Education - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$175K to $265K → $310K to $465K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. The published figure for Vice President of Engineering sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Personnel and Human Resources
Education people bring
- Bachelor's Degree: 48%
- Some College Courses: 26%
- Master's Degree: 14%
Job Zone 4, job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Other paths from here
More Technology paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Computer Systems Analysts, Project Management Specialists, Software Developers, Computer Systems Engineers/Architects, Management Analysts.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.