Principal Engineer Principal Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Principal Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Aug 12, 2025
Position
City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $214,289 per year in San Francisco, CA.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $214,289 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 $17,857 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 $4,121 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 $103 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Principal Engineers in San Francisco, CA, enjoy a competitive salary that reflects their expertise and the high cost of living in the area. The average yearly salary for this role stands at around $214,289. This salary can vary based on several factors, including experience, specific skills, and the company's industry.

The salary range for Principal Engineers in San Francisco typically spans from approximately $142,160 to over $335,000 per year. This wide range indicates the potential for significant earnings growth as professionals gain more experience and take on more responsibilities. Companies in the tech sector, in particular, often offer higher salaries to attract top talent. Additionally, bonuses, stock options, and other benefits can further enhance the total compensation package.

Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA
View all Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA

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

Principal Engineer jobs in the San Francisco area offer competitive salaries. Cities like Menlo Park, Redwood City, and Mountain View lead with average salaries over $200,000. These locations provide excellent opportunities for experienced engineers. Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and San Jose also offer strong salaries, with averages above $200,000. San Mateo, Palo Alto, and Fremont follow closely behind, making them attractive options. Oakland, while slightly lower, still provides a good salary for Principal Engineers.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting Menlo Park, CA with the highest at $244,294 and Oakland, CA with the lowest at $182,947.

  1. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $244,294
    In Menlo Park, tech leaders thrive. Companies like Facebook and Google offer exciting challenges. Engineers here shape the future of technology.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  2. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $237,000
    Redwood City is home to innovative firms. Companies such as Oracle and Tesla provide dynamic environments. Engineers here drive cutting-edge projects.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  3. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $228,417
    Mountain View is a hub for tech giants. Google and YouTube offer vast opportunities. Engineers here work on groundbreaking solutions.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  4. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $217,755
    Sunnyvale boasts a thriving tech scene. Firms like Cisco and VMware offer diverse roles. Engineers here innovate in a fast-paced setting.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  5. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $216,366
    Santa Clara is a center for tech innovation. Companies such as Intel and Apple provide exciting challenges. Engineers here contribute to major advancements.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  6. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $214,129
    San Jose is a tech powerhouse. Companies like eBay and Adobe offer dynamic projects. Engineers here play a key role in shaping tech trends.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  7. San Mateo, CA
    Average Salary: $212,457
    San Mateo is a tech hub with many opportunities. Firms like Dropbox and Square offer innovative projects. Engineers here work on impactful solutions.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Mateo, CA


  8. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $211,553
    Palo Alto is known for its tech innovation. Companies like Hewlett Packard and LinkedIn offer exciting roles. Engineers here drive technological progress.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  9. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $187,415
    Fremont is home to tech and automotive innovation. Companies like Tesla and Flex offer diverse roles. Engineers here work on cutting-edge projects.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Fremont, CA


  10. Oakland, CA
    Average Salary: $182,947
    Oakland offers a mix of tech and urban opportunities. Firms like Salesforce and LinkedIn provide dynamic environments. Engineers here innovate in a vibrant setting.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA

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

Job seekers in San Francisco looking for Principal Engineer roles can find top-paying opportunities at companies like Uber, Atlassian, and Salesforce. Uber offers an average salary of $289,250, making it a leading choice for those seeking high compensation. Atlassian and Salesforce also provide competitive salaries, with averages of $253,125 and $234,510, respectively. These companies offer attractive benefits and career growth potential.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Uber with the highest at $289,250 and Palo Alto Networks with the lowest at $186,560.

  1. Uber
    Average Salary: $289,250
    Uber offers Principal Engineer roles with a focus on innovation and technology. They operate globally, with major hubs in San Francisco, Seattle, and Austin.


  2. Atlassian
    Average Salary: $253,125
    Atlassian is known for its collaborative tools. Principal Engineers here work on developing software solutions. They have offices in San Francisco, New York, and Sydney.


  3. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $234,510
    Salesforce provides cloud-based software solutions. Principal Engineers here focus on creating scalable and efficient systems. Salesforce has offices in San Francisco, New York, and London.


  4. Wells Fargo
    Average Salary: $222,200
    Wells Fargo offers Principal Engineer positions with a focus on financial services technology. They have a strong presence in San Francisco, Charlotte, and Phoenix.


  5. Autodesk
    Average Salary: $191,444
    Autodesk provides design software for professionals. Principal Engineers here work on developing cutting-edge tools. They have offices in San Francisco, Boston, and London.


  6. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $186,560
    Palo Alto Networks focuses on cybersecurity. Principal Engineers here develop security solutions. They have offices in San Francisco, Austin, and Tel Aviv.

Currently 464 Principal Engineer job openings, nationwide.

View Principal Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

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

Learn what a Principal Engineer does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Principal Engineer today.
Position
Overview
Principal Engineer
464 Job Openings

Win at hiring.

Visit the help center for any questions.
Contact Support
ReadySetHire icon
©2025 • ReadySetHire