Principal Engineer Principal Engineer Salary in San Jose, CA

Principal Engineer Salary in San Jose, CA

Updated on Sep 11, 2025
Position
City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $214,396 per year in San Jose, CA.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $214,396 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 $17,866 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 $4,123 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 $103 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

In San Jose, CA, a Principal Engineer earns a competitive salary. On average, they make about $214,396 per year. This salary can vary based on experience, skills, and the specific company. Many Principal Engineers in this area earn between $146,000 and $315,000 annually. This range reflects the high demand for skilled engineers in tech-heavy San Jose.

Principal Engineers in San Jose often work for top tech companies. Their roles involve leading projects, designing systems, and managing teams. This responsibility comes with a higher salary compared to other engineering roles. The tech industry in San Jose values innovation and expertise, which is why these salaries are so attractive. Job seekers in this field can expect to find good opportunities and competitive pay.

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

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

Principal Engineer jobs in the San Jose area offer high salaries. Cities like Menlo Park, Redwood City, and Mountain View lead with average salaries over $200,000. These locations provide excellent opportunities for experienced professionals.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near San Jose, CA, highlighting Menlo Park, CA with the highest at $244,294 and Fremont, CA with the lowest at $184,483.

  1. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $244,294
    In Menlo Park, tech leaders thrive. Companies like Facebook and Google offer exciting projects. Engineers here work on cutting-edge technology.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  2. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $237,000
    Redwood City is home to major tech firms. Companies like Salesforce and Oracle provide dynamic work environments. Engineers here innovate and shape the future of tech.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  3. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $228,341
    Mountain View is a tech hub. Google and other tech giants are based here. Engineers enjoy a vibrant community and endless opportunities for growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  4. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $218,394
    Santa Clara offers a mix of tech and innovation. Companies like Intel and Apple are prominent here. Engineers work on groundbreaking projects and enjoy a collaborative atmosphere.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  5. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $218,287
    Sunnyvale is a growing tech center. Companies like Cisco and eBay are located here. Engineers here benefit from a supportive environment and diverse projects.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  6. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $211,553
    Palo Alto is known for its tech innovation. Companies like Hewlett Packard and VMware are based here. Engineers work on exciting projects and enjoy a vibrant community.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  7. Milpitas, CA
    Average Salary: $206,025
    Milpitas is a tech-friendly city. Companies like Applied Materials and Flex are located here. Engineers here enjoy a diverse range of projects and a supportive work environment.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA


  8. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $184,483
    Fremont is home to tech and manufacturing. Companies like Tesla and Flex are based here. Engineers here work on innovative projects and enjoy a dynamic work environment.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Fremont, CA

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

Arm offers Principal Engineer roles with an average salary of $316,733 in San Jose, CA. Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US) provides a competitive average salary of $269,905 for Principal Engineers. Micron Technology, Inc. pays an average of $228,108, making it another top choice for job seekers.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, highlighting Arm with the highest at $316,733 and Cadence Design Systems with the lowest at $183,714.

  1. Arm
    Average Salary: $316,733
    Arm is a leading technology company based in San Jose, CA. They design and sell computer processors and related software. Principal Engineers work on cutting-edge technology and contribute to the development of innovative solutions. Arm operates globally, with offices in the UK, Japan, and other countries.


  2. Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US)
    Average Salary: $269,905
    Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US) is a major player in the semiconductor industry. Based in San Jose, CA, they offer a wide range of semiconductor products. Principal Engineers at Samsung work on advanced semiconductor technologies and contribute to the company's global success. Samsung has a strong presence in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.


  3. Micron Technology, Inc.
    Average Salary: $228,108
    Micron Technology, Inc. is a leading memory and storage manufacturer. They are headquartered in San Jose, CA. Principal Engineers at Micron focus on developing and improving memory and storage technologies. The company has a global footprint, with operations in North America, Asia, and Europe.


  4. Celestica
    Average Salary: $218,000
    Celestica is a global electronics manufacturing services provider. They are based in San Jose, CA. Principal Engineers at Celestica work on designing and manufacturing electronic components. The company has a strong presence in North America, Asia, and Europe.


  5. Acara Solutions
    Average Salary: $205,000
    Acara Solutions is a technology company specializing in software and hardware solutions. They are located in San Jose, CA. Principal Engineers at Acara Solutions focus on developing innovative solutions for their clients. The company operates globally, with a strong presence in North America and Asia.


  6. Infineon Technologies
    Average Salary: $202,859
    Infineon Technologies is a leading semiconductor company. They are based in San Jose, CA. Principal Engineers at Infineon work on developing semiconductor technologies for various applications. The company has a global presence, with operations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.


  7. Analog Devices
    Average Salary: $201,250
    Analog Devices is a semiconductor company that designs and manufactures analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies. They are headquartered in San Jose, CA. Principal Engineers at Analog Devices focus on developing cutting-edge technologies. The company has a strong global presence, with operations in North America, Asia, and Europe.


  8. Qorvo
    Average Salary: $199,050
    Qorvo is a leading semiconductor company that specializes in radio frequency (RF) solutions. They are based in San Jose, CA. Principal Engineers at Qorvo work on developing RF technologies for various applications. The company has a global presence, with operations in North America, Asia, and Europe.


  9. Rambus
    Average Salary: $187,340
    Rambus is a technology company that specializes in high-speed memory and interface technologies. They are headquartered in San Jose, CA. Principal Engineers at Rambus work on developing innovative memory and interface solutions. The company has a global presence, with operations in North America, Asia, and Europe.


  10. Cadence Design Systems
    Average Salary: $183,714
    Cadence Design Systems is a leading provider of software, hardware, and services for electronic design automation. They are based in San Jose, CA. Principal Engineers at Cadence work on developing advanced design tools and technologies. The company has a strong global presence, with operations in North America, Asia, and Europe.

Currently 448 Principal Engineer job openings, nationwide.

View Principal Engineer Jobs in San Jose, CA

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