Average Senior Principal Engineer Salary

$151,959
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$119k
MEDIAN
$152k
90%
$189k

The average salary for a Senior Principal Engineer is $151,959 in 2025

Base Salary
$119k - $189k
Bonus
$3k - $25k
Profit Sharing
$2k - $18k
Total Pay
$122k - $202k
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What Do Senior Principal Engineers Do?

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How do Senior Principal Engineers Rate Their Jobs?

4 out of 5
(86)
Highly Satisfied
17Reviews
Based on 86 responses, the job of Senior Principal Engineer has received a job satisfaction rating of 4.04 out of 5. On average, Senior Principal Engineers are highly satisfied with their job.

FAQs About Senior Principal Engineers

What is the highest pay for Senior Principal Engineers?

Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Senior Principal Engineer is $189k / year

What is the lowest pay for Senior Principal Engineers?

Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Senior Principal Engineer is $119k / year

How can Senior Principal Engineers increase their salary?

Increasing your pay as a Senior Principal Engineer is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Senior Principal Engineer that oversees more junior Senior Principal Engineers, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.