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Acting Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Acting Director make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Acting Director in the United States is $154,706 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

However, an Acting Director's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $189,602
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $140,766 to $172,972
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $128,074
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Acting Director Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Acting Director Salaries

An Acting Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Acting Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Acting Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $102,991
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $120,380
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $150,900
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $169,239
  • Expert (over 8 years): $193,351
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Human Resources Supervisor less than 1 year $102,991
Human Resources Manager 1-2 years $120,380
Acting Director 2-4 years $150,900
Human Resources Director 5-8 years $169,239
VP of Human Resources over 8 years $193,351

How Do Acting Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Acting Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $171,290.
  • California: $170,641.
  • Massachusetts: $168,367.

Top Paying Cities for Acting Director

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $195,131
  • San Francisco: $192,994
  • Oakland: $188,927

Acting Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Acting Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Acting Director positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Acting Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Acting Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable $193,383 $93.0 25%
Construction $185,647 $89.0 20%
Healthcare $173,271 $83.0 12%
Business Services $170,177 $82.0 10%
Insurance $167,082 $80.0 8%

How Education impacts an Acting Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Acting Director professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Acting Director with a Bachelor's is between $154,811 and $165,146.

Acting Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Acting Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1%
High School 9%
Associate's Degree 6.2%
Bachelor's Degree 43.1%
Master's Degree or MBA 37.3%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 3.3%
View as Graph

Acting Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Acting Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$140,766
Average $154,706/year
$172,972
$11,731
Average $12,892/month
$14,414
$2,707
Average $2,975/week
$3,326
$68
Average $74/hour
$83
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $172,972 $14,414 $3,326 $83
Average $154,706 $12,892 $2,975 $74
25th Percentile $140,766 $11,731 $2,707 $68

Most common benefits for Acting Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Acting Director

Here are companies hiring for Acting Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Acting Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Acting Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Ohio | Columbus, OH

    Radiology

    Ohio | Columbus, OH

    100% Remote - Ohio Neuro Teleradiology JobClinical Role. Do you know someone that might be a good fit for this position. Please ask about our generous refe... more

    10 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    18 Days Ago

  • OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    Ultrasonographer

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could... more

    21 Days Ago

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FAQ about Acting Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Acting Director?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Acting Director roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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