Position
City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $225,622 per year in San Jose, CA.

In San Jose, California, a Principal Engineer can expect to earn a competitive salary. This role often comes with a high level of responsibility and advanced technical expertise. The average yearly salary for a Principal Engineer in San Jose stands at about $225,622. This figure reflects the value of their critical role in driving innovation and engineering excellence.


Here’s a look at the salary distribution for Principal Engineers in San Jose:

  • 13.48% earn between $275,091 and $294,818
  • 12.20% earn between $255,364 and $275,091
  • 12.84% earn between $196,182 and $215,909
  • 7.70% earn between $156,727 and $176,455
  • 5.78% earn between $176,455 and $196,182

Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA

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

Principal Engineers near San Jose can find top-paying positions in cities like Redwood City and Mountain View. These cities offer strong tech industries, where companies value engineering expertise highly. Expect salaries above $220,000 on average. Other nearby cities such as Menlo Park and Palo Alto also provide excellent opportunities with similar salary ranges. These cities have a rich tech ecosystem that supports high compensation for Principal Engineers. Exploring roles in these areas can lead to lucrative career advancements.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near San Jose, 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 dynamic environment for tech leaders. Companies like Dropbox and Rackspace attract top talent. The city provides a strong community and a chance to influence major projects.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  2. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $247,002
    Mountain View is a hub for innovation. Google and YouTube provide exciting opportunities for tech experts. Working here means being at the forefront of technology and contributing to global projects.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  3. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $240,445
    Menlo Park is known for its tech giants like Facebook and SpaceX. It's a place where creativity meets technology. Professionals here shape the future of digital innovation.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  4. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $229,194
    Palo Alto is a city that blends technology with a vibrant community. Hewlett Packard Enterprise and other tech firms offer challenging roles. The city provides a balance of professional growth and quality of life.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  5. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $226,677
    Sunnyvale is home to companies like Oracle and Xilinx. It offers a mix of established tech firms and startups. Here, engineers can work on cutting-edge technology and enjoy a vibrant local scene.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  6. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $222,307
    Santa Clara is a major tech center with companies like Intel and VMware. It offers diverse opportunities in hardware and software. The city's tech focus creates a rich environment for career development.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  7. Milpitas, CA
    Average Salary: $212,588
    Milpitas is known for its tech industry, with companies like AMD and Applied Materials. It offers a fast-paced environment for innovation. Professionals here are at the core of tech advancements.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA


  8. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $187,300
    Fremont has a growing tech scene with companies like Tesla and Flex. It's a place where engineers can make a big impact. The city offers a blend of industry and community life.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Fremont, CA

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

Job seekers looking for principal engineer roles can expect top salaries at companies like Google, Arm, and Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US) in San Jose, CA. Google offers the highest average salary at $354,000, followed by Arm at $302,567, and Samsung at $273,179. These companies provide not only competitive pay but also opportunities for career growth and innovation in the tech industry.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, highlighting Google with the highest at $354,000 and Rambus with the lowest at $194,640.
  1. Google
    Average Salary: $354,000
    Google offers Principal Engineer roles with a focus on innovation and tech leadership. They operate across many locations in San Jose, including their Mountain View and Sunnyvale offices.


  2. Arm
    Average Salary: $302,567
    Arm provides Principal Engineer opportunities that center on developing next-gen technology. Their San Jose office is a hub for tech advancements.


  3. Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US)
    Average Salary: $273,179
    Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US) offers Principal Engineer positions focused on semiconductor research and development. Their San Jose location is key in their tech operations.


  4. PayPal
    Average Salary: $241,167
    PayPal seeks Principal Engineers to drive digital payment innovations. Their offices in San Jose are central to their tech projects.


  5. Micron Technology, Inc.
    Average Salary: $233,811
    Micron Technology, Inc. offers Principal Engineer jobs centered on memory and storage tech. They have significant operations in San Jose.


  6. Infineon Technologies
    Average Salary: $223,474
    Infineon Technologies provides roles for Principal Engineers to develop semiconductor solutions. Their San Jose office is important for their projects.


  7. Analog Devices
    Average Salary: $221,774
    Analog Devices offers Principal Engineer jobs focused on analog and mixed-signal tech. Their presence in San Jose is significant.


  8. Celestica
    Average Salary: $218,000
    Celestica provides opportunities for Principal Engineers in electronics manufacturing. Their San Jose location is a key part of their operations.


  9. Acara Solutions
    Average Salary: $205,000
    Acara Solutions offers Principal Engineer roles focused on tech solutions. They operate in San Jose, contributing to the local tech scene.


  10. Rambus
    Average Salary: $194,640
    Rambus provides roles for Principal Engineers in developing interface technology. Their San Jose office is crucial for their projects.

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