Principal Engineer Principal Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Principal Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Jun 10, 2026
Position
City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $236,729 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 $236,729 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 $19,727 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 $4,552 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 $114 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Principal Engineers in San Francisco, CA, enjoy competitive salaries. These professionals earn a lot because they have a lot of experience and skills. The average yearly salary for Principal Engineers in this city is around $236,729. This means they make more than many other jobs in the area.

Salaries for Principal Engineers in San Francisco can vary quite a bit. Some earn closer to $150,000 a year, while others make over $350,000. Here is a look at the range of salaries:

  • 10% earn about $168,545
  • 20% earn about $187,091
  • 30% earn about $205,636
  • 40% earn about $224,182
  • 50% earn about $242,727
  • 60% earn about $261,273
  • 70% earn about $279,818
  • 80% earn about $298,364
  • 90% earn about $316,909
  • 95% earn about $335,455
  • 100% earn about $354,000

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?

Mountain View, Redwood City, and Menlo Park offer some of the highest salaries for Principal Engineer roles near San Francisco, CA. A Principal Engineer in Mountain View can expect an average salary of $268,968. Both Redwood City and Menlo Park are close behind with average salaries of $250,833 and $249,496, respectively. Sunnyvale and Palo Alto also provide competitive pay, with average salaries of $235,844 and $231,476. These cities offer a chance to earn more while working in a tech-heavy environment. San Jose, Santa Clara, Oakland, and Fremont also show good salaries, but the top five cities listed offer the best pay. This makes them attractive options for job seekers in the engineering field.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting Mountain View, CA with the highest at $268,968 and Fremont, CA with the lowest at $189,219.

  1. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $268,968
    In Mountain View, tech giants like Google offer exciting opportunities. Engineers here work on cutting-edge projects. The city's tech-driven culture provides a dynamic work environment.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  2. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $250,833
    Redwood City hosts major companies like Salesforce. Engineers can contribute to influential projects. The city provides a vibrant community for tech professionals.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  3. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $249,496
    Menlo Park is known for companies like Facebook. Engineers here shape the future of social media. The area offers a collaborative and innovative atmosphere.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  4. San Mateo, CA
    Average Salary: $248,560
    San Mateo is home to several tech firms. Engineers have the chance to work on impactful projects. The city balances tech advancement with a pleasant lifestyle.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Mateo, CA


  5. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $235,844
    Sunnyvale is a tech hub with companies like Intel. Engineers engage in groundbreaking work. The city's tech environment fosters creativity and growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  6. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $231,476
    Palo Alto has numerous tech companies, including Hewlett-Packard Enterprise. Engineers contribute to leading innovations. The area balances tech opportunities with a strong community.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  7. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $227,575
    San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, offers many job opportunities. Engineers work with top tech firms. The city's tech scene is dynamic and ever-evolving.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  8. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $223,596
    Santa Clara hosts companies like Apple and Intel. Engineers play a key role in tech advancements. The city provides a supportive and innovative environment.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  9. Oakland, CA
    Average Salary: $192,423
    Oakland is a growing tech center with companies like Salesforce. Engineers here tackle significant projects. The city's diverse culture enhances the work experience.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA


  10. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $189,219
    Fremont has a growing tech sector with companies like Tesla. Engineers here drive innovation. The city offers a balanced lifestyle with tech opportunities.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Fremont, CA

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

Seeking a top-paying Principal Engineer role? Consider these companies in San Francisco. Google offers the highest salary at nearly $357,250. Zeta Global and Quizlet follow closely, each providing excellent compensation packages. Other notable employers include DocuSign, Okta, and DigitalOcean.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Google with the highest at $357,250 and Early Warning Services with the lowest at $224,750.

  1. Google
    Average Salary: $357,250
    Google offers Principal Engineer jobs that focus on developing new technologies and innovative solutions. They operate globally with major offices in San Francisco, CA, among other locations.


  2. Zeta Global
    Average Salary: $311,667
    Zeta Global provides exciting Principal Engineer roles that emphasize data analytics and marketing technology. The company has its headquarters in San Francisco, CA, and operates in several global markets.


  3. Quizlet
    Average Salary: $280,000
    Quizlet offers Principal Engineer positions that involve building and improving educational technology platforms. Their main office is in San Francisco, CA, and they serve a worldwide audience.


  4. DocuSign
    Average Salary: $271,933
    DocuSign provides Principal Engineer jobs focused on electronic signature and document management technology. They have their headquarters in San Francisco, CA, and serve customers globally.


  5. Okta
    Average Salary: $263,680
    Okta offers Principal Engineer roles that center on identity and access management solutions. Their main office is in San Francisco, CA, with additional locations around the globe.


  6. DigitalOcean
    Average Salary: $258,000
    DigitalOcean offers Principal Engineer positions that involve cloud computing and infrastructure as a service. They operate in San Francisco, CA, and serve a global customer base.


  7. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $252,742
    Salesforce provides Principal Engineer jobs focused on customer relationship management software. They have their headquarters in San Francisco, CA, and serve businesses worldwide.


  8. Atlassian
    Average Salary: $233,471
    Atlassian offers Principal Engineer roles that emphasize collaboration and productivity software. Their main office is in San Francisco, CA, and they have a global presence.


  9. Wells Fargo
    Average Salary: $228,333
    Wells Fargo provides Principal Engineer positions focused on financial services technology. Their headquarters is in San Francisco, CA, with branches nationwide.


  10. Early Warning Services
    Average Salary: $224,750
    Early Warning Services offers Principal Engineer roles that involve mobile payments and financial technology. Their main office is in San Francisco, CA, and they serve a global customer base.

Currently 445 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.
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Principal Engineer
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