Principal Engineer Salaries & Top Paying Companies in San Francisco, CA

Position

City

Salary

How much does a Principal Engineer make in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $224,225 per year in San Francisco, CA.

Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $224,225 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $18,685 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $4,312 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $108 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

A Principal Engineer in San Francisco, CA, earns a competitive salary that reflects the high cost of living in the area. The average yearly salary for this role is around $224,225. This figure can vary based on experience, skills, and the specific company. Many Principal Engineers in San Francisco earn between $150,000 and $354,000 annually. This range shows the potential for significant growth in this field.

Several factors influence the salary of a Principal Engineer. These include the engineer’s level of experience, the complexity of projects they handle, and the industry they work in. For example, those in the tech industry often earn more than those in other sectors. Companies in San Francisco also tend to offer higher salaries to attract top talent. This makes the area a desirable place for Principal Engineers looking for rewarding career opportunities.

What are the highest paying cities for a Principal Engineer near San Francisco, CA?

Job seekers looking for Principal Engineer roles near San Francisco, CA, have several high-paying options. Menlo Park, CA, leads with an average salary of $246,700. Nearby cities like Redwood City, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale also offer competitive salaries. San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Mateo provide attractive compensation packages, with average salaries ranging from $215,549 to $218,439. These cities make excellent choices for those seeking rewarding career opportunities in engineering.

Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting Menlo Park, CA with the highest at $246,700 and Oakland, CA with the lowest at $181,425.

Menlo Park, CA
Average Salary: $246,700
In Menlo Park, engineers work in a tech-driven environment with companies like Facebook. The city offers a vibrant community and a chance to collaborate with top talent. Opportunities for innovation and growth are plentiful.
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Redwood City, CA
Average Salary: $237,000
Redwood City is home to major tech firms such as Oracle. Engineers here enjoy a dynamic work culture and the chance to contribute to cutting-edge projects. The city provides a good balance between work and leisure.
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Mountain View, CA
Average Salary: $231,579
Mountain View, known for Google, offers a stimulating work environment. Engineers here can expect to work on impactful projects and collaborate with some of the brightest minds. The city's tech-centric atmosphere is ideal for career growth.
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Sunnyvale, CA
Average Salary: $221,442
Sunnyvale is a hub for tech companies like Broadcom. Engineers benefit from a fast-paced environment and the opportunity to work on innovative solutions. The city's diverse community adds to its appeal.
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Santa Clara, CA
Average Salary: $218,439
Santa Clara is a key player in the tech industry, home to companies like Intel. Engineers here are involved in groundbreaking projects and enjoy a supportive work environment. The city offers a mix of professional and personal opportunities.
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San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $215,549
San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, is a prime location for tech careers. Engineers work with companies like Cisco and VMware. The city offers a vibrant tech scene and numerous opportunities for professional development.
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San Mateo, CA
Average Salary: $211,829
San Mateo is known for its tech companies like Gluon Software. Engineers here enjoy a collaborative work environment and the chance to innovate. The city provides a good quality of life with plenty of amenities.
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Palo Alto, CA
Average Salary: $211,553
Palo Alto is a tech powerhouse with companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Engineers benefit from a dynamic work environment and the opportunity to work on transformative projects. The city offers a blend of professional and cultural experiences.
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Fremont, CA
Average Salary: $184,483
Fremont is home to tech giants like Tesla. Engineers here work on exciting projects and enjoy a fast-paced environment. The city offers a good balance between work and a relaxed lifestyle.
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Oakland, CA
Average Salary: $181,425
Oakland is a growing tech hub with companies like Salesforce. Engineers enjoy a vibrant community and the chance to work on impactful projects. The city offers a diverse and inclusive work environment.
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What are the best paying companies for a Principal Engineer in San Francisco, CA?

Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco offer competitive salaries. DigitalOcean leads with an average salary of $258,000. Atlassian and Salesforce follow closely, offering around $253,125 and $234,510, respectively. These companies provide excellent opportunities for experienced engineers.

Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting DigitalOcean with the highest at $258,000 and Palo Alto Networks with the lowest at $189,588.

DigitalOcean
Average Salary: $258,000
DigitalOcean offers Principal Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA. They focus on cloud computing and provide a dynamic work environment. DigitalOcean is known for its innovative approach and commitment to employee growth.
Atlassian
Average Salary: $253,125
Atlassian, based in San Francisco, CA, seeks Principal Engineers to join their team. They develop tools for collaboration and project management. Atlassian values creativity and teamwork, offering a supportive workplace.
Salesforce
Average Salary: $234,510
Salesforce, located in San Francisco, CA, offers Principal Engineer roles. They are a leader in customer relationship management. Salesforce provides opportunities for professional development and innovation.
Wells Fargo
Average Salary: $222,200
Wells Fargo, with offices in San Francisco, CA, hires Principal Engineers. They focus on financial services and offer a stable work environment. Wells Fargo values experience and expertise in engineering.
Autodesk
Average Salary: $191,444
Autodesk, based in San Francisco, CA, seeks Principal Engineers for their team. They develop software for design and engineering. Autodesk offers a collaborative culture and opportunities for growth.
Palo Alto Networks
Average Salary: $189,588
Palo Alto Networks, located in San Francisco, CA, offers Principal Engineer positions. They focus on cybersecurity and provide a challenging work environment. Palo Alto Networks values innovation and technical expertise.

What are the best paying Principal Engineer related jobs in San Francisco, CA?

Principal Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA, often lead to high-paying positions. Directors of Engineering and Research Managers top the list, with average salaries around $225,000 and $215,000, respectively. Other roles like Staff Engineer and Machine Learning Engineer also offer competitive pay, with averages near $210,000 and $206,000.

Graph displaying best paying related job salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting Director of Engineering with the highest at $225,048 and Cloud Engineer with the lowest at $157,105.

Director of Engineering
Average Salary: $225,048
This role leads a team of engineers to develop and implement technology solutions. Companies like Google and Salesforce in San Francisco seek directors with experience in managing large-scale projects. They focus on driving innovation and ensuring project success.
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Research Manager
Average Salary: $215,606
Research managers oversee studies and projects to improve products and services. At firms like Uber and Dropbox, they guide teams to gather data and insights. They work to solve complex problems and enhance company offerings.
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Staff Engineer
Average Salary: $210,792
Staff engineers work on advanced technical challenges and mentor junior engineers. At tech giants like Apple and LinkedIn, they contribute to product development and system architecture. They ensure high-quality solutions and efficient workflows.
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Machine Learning Engineer
Average Salary: $206,511
These engineers build and refine algorithms for data-driven decision-making. Companies like Tesla and Airbnb in San Francisco hire them to develop models that improve user experiences. They focus on creating systems that learn and adapt over time.
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Technical Architect
Average Salary: $192,599
Technical architects design system infrastructure and ensure it meets business needs. At firms like Slack and GitHub, they create blueprints for software and hardware. They collaborate with teams to build scalable and robust solutions.
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Safety Director
Average Salary: $187,148
Safety directors oversee safety programs and ensure compliance with regulations. At companies like Uber and Lyft, they implement safety measures to protect employees and customers. They work to create a safe and secure environment.
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Solutions Architect
Average Salary: $176,268
Solutions architects design and implement technology solutions to meet business needs. At firms like Oracle and Adobe, they create detailed plans for software and systems. They ensure that solutions are efficient and effective.
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Data Engineer
Average Salary: $175,171
Data engineers build and maintain data pipelines and systems. At companies like Twitter and Square, they ensure data is accessible and usable. They focus on creating reliable data infrastructure to support analysis and decision-making.
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DevOps Engineer
Average Salary: $162,510
DevOps engineers automate and improve software development processes. At tech firms like Slack and GitHub, they work to integrate development and operations. They focus on creating efficient workflows and reducing deployment times.
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Cloud Engineer
Average Salary: $157,105
Cloud engineers manage and optimize cloud infrastructure. At companies like Salesforce and Dropbox, they ensure systems run smoothly in the cloud. They focus on scalability, security, and cost-efficiency.
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Principal Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

How much does a Principal Engineer make in San Francisco, CA?

What are the highest paying cities for a Principal Engineer near San Francisco, CA?

What are the best paying companies for a Principal Engineer in San Francisco, CA?

Currently 492 Principal Engineer job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Principal Engineer in the US?

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