Calculate principal engineer salary by city and experience level. The national average is $500,000 per year, ranging from $280,000 for entry-level to $1,500,000 for senior professionals.
Estimate your earning potential based on role, location, and experience.
Estimated Principal Engineer Salary (US National Average)
Estimated†Median: $775,000 per year
Junior
$330,000
0-2 yrs
Mid-Level
$500,000
3-5 yrs
Senior
$1,050,000
6+ yrs
| City | Estimated Range | Cost of Living | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $580,000 – $870,000 | very high | Details → |
| Los Angeles, CA | $580,000 – $870,000 | very high | Details → |
| Chicago, IL | $480,000 – $720,000 | high | Details → |
| Houston, TX | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Phoenix, AZ | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Philadelphia, PA | $480,000 – $720,000 | high | Details → |
| San Antonio, TX | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| San Diego, CA | $580,000 – $870,000 | very high | Details → |
| Dallas, TX | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| San Jose, CA | $580,000 – $870,000 | very high | Details → |
| Austin, TX | $480,000 – $720,000 | high | Details → |
| Jacksonville, FL | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Fort Worth, TX | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Columbus, OH | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Charlotte, NC | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Indianapolis, IN | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| San Francisco, CA | $580,000 – $870,000 | very high | Details → |
| Seattle, WA | $580,000 – $870,000 | very high | Details → |
| Denver, CO | $480,000 – $720,000 | high | Details → |
| Nashville, TN | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Washington, DC | $580,000 – $870,000 | very high | Details → |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| El Paso, TX | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| Boston, MA | $580,000 – $870,000 | very high | Details → |
| Portland, OR | $480,000 – $720,000 | high | Details → |
| Las Vegas, NV | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Memphis, TN | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| Louisville, KY | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| Baltimore, MD | $480,000 – $720,000 | high | Details → |
| Milwaukee, WI | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Albuquerque, NM | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| Tucson, AZ | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| Fresno, CA | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Mesa, AZ | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Sacramento, CA | $480,000 – $720,000 | high | Details → |
| Atlanta, GA | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Kansas City, MO | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| Omaha, NE | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Raleigh, NC | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Long Beach, CA | $480,000 – $720,000 | high | Details → |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Miami, FL | $580,000 – $870,000 | very high | Details → |
| Oakland, CA | $580,000 – $870,000 | very high | Details → |
| Minneapolis, MN | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Tampa, FL | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Tulsa, OK | $340,000 – $510,000 | low | Details → |
| Arlington, TX | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| New Orleans, LA | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $400,000 – $600,000 | moderate | Details → |