What is the average VP Engineering salary in 2026?
Based on VP+ roles with posted compensation, the median VP Engineering salary is $310K. The 25th percentile is $220K and the 75th percentile is $400K. These figures come from active job postings, not survey estimates.
How many VP Engineering positions are open right now?
This week, ExecSignals tracked 18 scored VP Engineering openings with posted compensation. The most common hiring signal is "Build Team" and the top hiring industry is Software / SaaS.
What hiring signals matter most for VP Engineering roles?
The top signal for VP Engineering roles is "Build Team." Other common signals include reporting structure (typically reports to CTO or CEO), team-building mandates, and urgency indicators like "immediate start." ExecSignals extracts these signals automatically from every job description.
Is VP Engineering a good retained search opportunity?
With a median salary of $310K, VP Engineering roles typically fall within retained search territory. Roles with "Build Team" or "Reports to CEO" signals are especially strong candidates for retained engagements, as they indicate strategic hires with board-level visibility.