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

Position

City

Salary

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

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $220,469 per year in San Jose, CA.

Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $220,469 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $18,372 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $4,240 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $106 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Principal Engineers in San Jose, CA, earn a solid income. The average yearly salary for this role stands at $220,469. This figure reflects the diverse skill set and experience that Principal Engineers bring to tech companies in the area.

Different levels of experience bring different salaries. Those with less experience might start at around $137,000, while seasoned professionals can make up to $333,300 annually. This range shows the potential for growth as one gains more experience and expertise in the field.

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

Job seekers near San Jose looking for Principal Engineer roles can find excellent opportunities in nearby cities. Redwood City, CA, offers an average salary of $249,600. This area attracts many companies that value high-level engineering talent. Other top cities include Mountain View, Menlo Park, and Sunnyvale, all offering competitive salaries.

Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near San Jose, CA, highlighting Redwood City, CA with the highest at $249,600 and Fremont, CA with the lowest at $189,533.

Redwood City, CA
Average Salary: $249,600
In Redwood City, top companies like GitHub and 2U seek skilled engineers. Working here often involves collaborating on cutting-edge tech projects. The competitive salary makes it an attractive location.
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Mountain View, CA
Average Salary: $242,293
Mountain View is home to tech giants like Google. Engineers here drive innovation in AI and software development. The city offers a vibrant tech community and a high cost of living.
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Menlo Park, CA
Average Salary: $241,383
Menlo Park, known for its tech firms like Meta, offers a dynamic environment. Engineers contribute to major advancements in social media and technology. Competitive wages and perks are common.
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Sunnyvale, CA
Average Salary: $224,487
Sunnyvale houses companies like Broadcom and Yahoo. Engineers in this city focus on hardware and software innovation. The job market here is robust with many opportunities for career growth.
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Palo Alto, CA
Average Salary: $223,131
Palo Alto is a hub for tech companies such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Engineers here work on high-impact projects in various tech sectors. The area is known for its tech talent and networking opportunities.
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Santa Clara, CA
Average Salary: $220,323
Santa Clara is home to tech firms like Intel and Apple. Engineers here play a key role in developing new products. The area offers a strong job market and a high standard of living.
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Milpitas, CA
Average Salary: $212,075
Milpitas is known for its tech companies like Applied Materials. Engineers here innovate in semiconductor and software fields. The city provides a supportive environment for tech professionals.
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Fremont, CA
Average Salary: $189,533
Fremont hosts tech companies such as Flex and TE Connectivity. Engineers focus on automation and electronics. The job market offers strong compensation and diverse opportunities.
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What are the best paying companies for a Principal Engineer in San Jose, CA?

Principal Engineer roles in San Jose, CA, offer high salaries at top tech companies. Arm leads the pack with an average salary of nearly $303,000. Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US) follows closely, offering around $270,000 on average. Companies like PayPal and Micron Technology, Inc., also provide attractive packages, with average salaries of about $241,000 and $234,000, respectively. These opportunities cater to skilled engineers seeking both rewarding work and competitive pay.

Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, highlighting Arm with the highest at $302,567 and Rambus with the lowest at $187,340.

Arm
Average Salary: $302,567
Arm Ltd. is a renowned semiconductor and software design company with a global presence. In San Jose, CA, Principal Engineers collaborate on innovative technologies, focusing on the development of cutting-edge processors and software.
Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US)
Average Salary: $270,609
Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US) operates as a division of the global tech giant, Samsung Electronics. Principal Engineers in San Jose contribute to the design and development of advanced semiconductor devices and solutions.
PayPal
Average Salary: $241,167
PayPal, part of the eBay Inc. family, provides digital payment solutions. In San Jose, Principal Engineers work on the development of secure and efficient payment systems, leveraging innovative technologies.
Micron Technology, Inc.
Average Salary: $233,811
Micron Technology, Inc. specializes in memory and storage solutions. Principal Engineers in San Jose are involved in the design and optimization of cutting-edge memory products.
Celestica
Average Salary: $218,000
Celestica is a global electronics manufacturer. Principal Engineers in San Jose play a key role in the design and production of electronic systems, working on various innovative projects.
Infineon Technologies
Average Salary: $216,904
Infineon Technologies focuses on semiconductor solutions. Principal Engineers in San Jose contribute to the development of advanced semiconductor products and technologies.
Analog Devices
Average Salary: $215,356
Analog Devices designs and manufactures analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing products. Principal Engineers in San Jose are involved in the development of high-performance semiconductor solutions.
Acara Solutions
Average Salary: $205,000
Acara Solutions specializes in semiconductor design and manufacturing services. Principal Engineers in San Jose work on the development of advanced semiconductor products for various industries.
Qorvo
Average Salary: $199,050
Qorvo provides solutions for wireless connectivity. Principal Engineers in San Jose contribute to the design and development of RF semiconductor products and technologies.
Rambus
Average Salary: $187,340
Rambus designs high-speed interface technology and memory solutions. Principal Engineers in San Jose are involved in the development of innovative semiconductor products and technologies.

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

Job seekers looking for high-paying roles related to Principal Engineer in San Jose, CA, have several options. Research Manager and Director of Engineering stand out, offering top salaries. These roles require strong leadership and technical skills, making them ideal for experienced professionals. Staff Engineer, Solutions Architect, and Technical Architect also provide excellent compensation. These positions demand both advanced technical expertise and the ability to design and implement complex solutions. Aspiring Principal Engineers can explore these roles to find a high-paying, fulfilling career.

Graph displaying best paying related job salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near San Jose, CA, highlighting Research Manager with the highest at $232,625 and DevOps Engineer with the lowest at $157,311.

Research Manager
Average Salary: $232,625
A research manager works to drive innovation by leading a team of researchers. They collaborate with engineering teams to develop new products. This role often involves working for tech companies in this vibrant city.
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Director of Engineering
Average Salary: $222,179
As a director of engineering, one oversees all engineering activities. They manage projects and teams, ensuring they meet deadlines and quality standards. Big tech firms in this area look for candidates with strong leadership skills.
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Solutions Architect
Average Salary: $206,622
A solutions architect designs systems to meet client needs. They work closely with engineers and clients to create effective solutions. This position is common in tech companies based here.
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Technical Architect
Average Salary: $200,485
Technical architects focus on the technical side of solutions. They design and develop systems and software. These professionals often work for major technology companies in the area.
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Staff Engineer
Average Salary: $184,099
Staff engineers work on complex projects. They mentor junior engineers and contribute to major initiatives. Many tech firms look for experienced staff engineers to join their teams.
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Safety Director
Average Salary: $181,375
A safety director ensures safety standards are met. They develop safety policies and oversee compliance. This role is crucial for companies focusing on safety and innovation.
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Machine Learning Engineer
Average Salary: $177,242
Machine learning engineers build systems that learn and improve. They work on projects that involve AI and data analysis. This role is popular in tech companies that focus on innovation.
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Cloud Engineer
Average Salary: $175,926
Cloud engineers manage cloud-based systems. They ensure they run smoothly and securely. These professionals work for companies that rely on cloud services.
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Data Engineer
Average Salary: $157,469
Data engineers build systems to collect and process data. They ensure data is available and usable for analysis. These roles are common in companies that use big data for decision-making.
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DevOps Engineer
Average Salary: $157,311
DevOps engineers work to improve collaboration between development and operations. They automate processes to make them more efficient. This role is important for companies that value agility and efficiency.
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Principal Engineer Salary in San Jose, CA

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

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

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

Currently 402 Principal Engineer job openings, nationwide.

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

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