Position
City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $235,921 per year in San Francisco, CA.

A Principal Engineer in San Francisco, CA, earns a competitive salary that reflects their important role. On average, a Principal Engineer makes about $235,921 per year. This salary can vary based on experience and company. Many engineers see their salary increase with more years on the job and higher levels of responsibility.

Factors affecting salary can include the size of the company, industry, and specific projects. Those working for tech giants often earn more than those in other fields. Additional skills, such as leadership and specialized technical knowledge, also play a role in salary negotiations. Job seekers should consider these factors when looking for opportunities in San Francisco.

Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA

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

Principal Engineer positions near San Francisco, CA, offer competitive salaries in several nearby cities. Redwood City, CA, stands out with an average salary of $252,333, making it the top choice for many professionals. Mountain View, CA, and Menlo Park, CA, also provide high salaries, with averages of $247,002 and $240,445, respectively. These cities are excellent areas for job seekers looking to maximize their earnings.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting Redwood City, CA with the highest at $252,333 and Fremont, CA with the lowest at $187,300.
  1. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $252,333
    Redwood City offers a unique mix of tech and nature. Companies like Dropbox and 2U are here, providing exciting projects. Engineers get to work on cutting-edge solutions.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  2. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $247,002
    Mountain View is tech central. Google is the big name here. Engineers work on projects that shape the future. The city is vibrant and full of opportunities.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  3. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $240,445
    Menlo Park has a rich tech history. Companies like Facebook are based here. Engineers get to work on projects that impact millions. It's a great place for innovation.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  4. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $229,194
    Palo Alto is a tech hub. Companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise are here. Engineers work on exciting projects and have a chance to grow. The city offers a good work-life balance.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  5. San Mateo, CA
    Average Salary: $227,994
    San Mateo is known for its tech companies. Visa and Chegg are big names here. Engineers get to work on important projects. The city is friendly and offers many amenities.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Mateo, CA


  6. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $226,677
    Sunnyvale is full of tech companies. Broadcom and eBay are here. Engineers have many opportunities to work on innovative projects. The city is growing and dynamic.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  7. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $225,818
    San Jose is Silicon Valley's heart. Companies like Adobe and Cisco are here. Engineers get to work on exciting projects and have many opportunities to grow. The city is full of energy.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  8. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $222,307
    Santa Clara has a strong tech presence. Intel and VMware are based here. Engineers get to work on cutting-edge projects. The city offers a good quality of life.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  9. Oakland, CA
    Average Salary: $187,950
    Oakland is a diverse and growing tech hub. Companies like Clorox and Kaiser Permanente are here. Engineers get to work on projects that matter. The city is vibrant and full of opportunities.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA


  10. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $187,300
    Fremont has a strong tech presence. Tesla and eBay have a big presence here. Engineers get to work on innovative projects. The city offers a good balance between work and life.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Fremont, CA

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

Job seekers aiming for a Principal Engineer role in San Francisco, CA, can find some of the best compensation at top tech companies. Google offers the highest average salary at $354,000. Okta follows closely with an average salary of $285,000. Both companies present excellent opportunities for professional growth and financial rewards.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Google with the highest at $354,000 and Autodesk with the lowest at $191,444.
  1. Google
    Average Salary: $354,000
    Google, located in Mountain View, CA, offers dynamic Principal Engineer roles. They focus on building innovative technology that shapes the future. Google has offices globally, providing numerous opportunities.


  2. Okta
    Average Salary: $285,000
    Okta, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, seeks Principal Engineers to lead software development. They emphasize secure access to applications and data. Their offices span across North America, Europe, and Australia.


  3. Quizlet
    Average Salary: $280,000
    Quizlet, based in San Francisco, CA, is a leading educational platform. They need Principal Engineers to develop tools that help students learn. Their team works from offices in San Francisco and remote locations.


  4. DigitalOcean
    Average Salary: $258,000
    DigitalOcean, located in San Francisco, CA, offers Principal Engineer positions focused on cloud services. They provide infrastructure for developers worldwide. Their staff operates from offices in San Francisco and remote positions.


  5. DocuSign
    Average Salary: $257,756
    DocuSign, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is a global leader in electronic agreements. They seek Principal Engineers to enhance their e-signature platform. The company has offices in multiple locations worldwide.


  6. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $246,325
    Salesforce, based in San Francisco, CA, offers Principal Engineer roles focused on customer relationship management (CRM). They provide tools that help businesses connect with customers. Their offices are worldwide, with a strong presence in San Francisco.


  7. Atlassian
    Average Salary: $236,773
    Atlassian, located in San Francisco, CA, is known for its collaboration tools. They need Principal Engineers to develop products like Jira and Confluence. The company has offices globally, with a significant presence in San Francisco.


  8. Early Warning Services
    Average Salary: $229,333
    Early Warning Services, based in San Francisco, CA, specializes in fraud detection. They seek Principal Engineers to enhance their payment solutions. The company has offices in San Francisco and other locations.


  9. Wells Fargo
    Average Salary: $228,333
    Wells Fargo, located in San Francisco, CA, offers Principal Engineer roles in financial services. They focus on innovation in banking and financial technologies. The company has offices across the United States and globally.


  10. Autodesk
    Average Salary: $191,444
    Autodesk, based in San Francisco, CA, is a leader in design and engineering software. They need Principal Engineers to develop tools for architects and engineers. Their offices are spread across the globe, with a key location in San Francisco.

Currently 558 Principal Engineer job openings, nationwide.

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

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Position
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Principal Engineer
558 Job Openings