2026 Salary Data ยท Columbus, OH

Director of Product Salary in Columbus

How much does a Director of Product make in Columbus? Salary data, top employers, and career insights for Directors of Product in the Columbus area.

$322K
Median Total Comp
-13%
vs National Avg
moderate
Cost of Living
350+
Product Roles

How Much Does a Director of Product Make in Columbus?

Directors of Product in Columbus earn a median total compensation of $322K, 13% below the national average. Columbus offers a balance of competitive salaries and manageable cost of living (index: 95). The moderate job market features approximately 350+ open product roles, with strength in Fintech and Healthcare / Healthtech.

Columbus's cost-of-living index is 95 (vs 100 national average), making it one of the more affordable metros. A $322K salary here has the purchasing power of roughly $339K in an average-cost city. This strong purchasing power is a key reason PMs relocate from higher-cost markets.

$213K$487K
P25-P75 Median

AI Specialization Premium in Columbus

Standard Director
$322K
$248K - $413K
AI-Specialized Director
$393K
$303K - $504K

Directors of Product with AI/ML experience earn a 22% premium in Columbus. While Columbus's AI ecosystem is still growing, companies here pay the premium to attract AI-experienced PMs.

Director of Product Salary by Company Type in Columbus

FAANG / Big Tech
$419K
+30%
Pre-IPO Unicorn
$370K
+15%
Growth Startup (B/C)
$322K
Baseline
Enterprise / Fortune 500
$338K
+5%
Early Startup (Seed/A)
$274K
-15%
Agency / Consulting
$258K
-20%

Top Employers for Directors of Product in Columbus

JPMorgan ChaseNationwideRoot InsuranceCoverMyMedsUpstartOlive AI

Columbus is emerging as a Midwest tech hub with strength in insurtech (Root, Nationwide) and healthtech. Ohio State University provides a talent pipeline. Intel's planned $20B chip fab will transform the market.

FintechHealthcare / HealthtechB2B SaaS (General)

Other Product Roles in Columbus

Director of Product Salary in Other Cities

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Director of Product make in Columbus?+
The median total compensation for a Director of Product in Columbus is $322K, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $248K to $413K. This is 13% below the national average of $370K.
What companies hire Directors of Product in Columbus?+
Top employers for Directors of Product in Columbus include JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, Root Insurance, CoverMyMeds, Upstart. Columbus is emerging as a Midwest tech hub with strength in insurtech (Root, Nationwide) and healthtech.
Is Columbus a good city for Directors of Product?+
Columbus has a moderate product job market with approximately 350+ open product roles. The cost of living is moderate. Strong industries include Fintech, Healthcare / Healthtech, B2B SaaS (General).
How does Director of Product salary in Columbus compare to other cities?+
Columbus pays 13% below the national average for Directors of Product. For comparison, San Francisco pays +20%, New York pays +12%, and Austin is the baseline. Similar markets include Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cincinnati.
Do Directors of Product in Columbus earn more with AI experience?+
Yes. The AI specialization premium for Directors of Product in Columbus is 22%, bringing the median from $322K to $393K. While Columbus's AI ecosystem is still developing, companies here still pay the premium for AI-experienced PMs.