Principal Engineer Principal Engineer Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Principal Engineer Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Updated on Nov 11, 2025
Position
City
Salary

How much does a Principal Engineer make in Santa Clara, CA?

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $218,509 per year in Santa Clara, CA.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, showing an average salary of $218,509 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, showing an average salary of $18,209 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, showing an average salary of $4,202 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, showing an average salary of $105 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Principal Engineers in Santa Clara, CA, earn a strong salary. On average, they make about $218,509 each year. This is a good income for those in this role. The salary can vary based on experience and company. Many Principal Engineers earn between $155,900 and $345,875 annually.

The salary of a Principal Engineer can depend on several factors. These include the engineer's experience, the company they work for, and the specific industry. Companies in tech hubs like Santa Clara often pay more. This is because the demand for skilled engineers is high. Principal Engineers with more experience usually earn more. They have the skills and knowledge needed to handle complex projects.

Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA
View all Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA

What are the highest paying cities for a Principal Engineer near Santa Clara, CA?

Principal Engineer roles near Santa Clara, CA, offer high salaries in several nearby cities. Menlo Park leads with an average salary of $246,700. Redwood City and Mountain View follow closely, with average salaries around $237,000 and $232,867, respectively. These cities provide excellent opportunities for those seeking top compensation in the tech industry.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near Santa Clara, CA, highlighting Menlo Park, CA with the highest at $246,700 and Fremont, CA with the lowest at $185,885.

  1. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $246,700
    In Menlo Park, engineers work in a vibrant tech hub. Companies like Facebook and Google offer exciting projects. The tech scene is dynamic, with many opportunities for growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  2. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $237,000
    Redwood City is home to many tech giants. Engineers here enjoy innovative projects and a collaborative environment. Companies like Oracle and Tesla provide a chance to work on cutting-edge technology.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  3. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $232,867
    Mountain View is a tech powerhouse. Engineers benefit from a rich ecosystem of startups and tech companies. Google and other major firms offer diverse and challenging projects.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  4. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $223,120
    Sunnyvale offers a thriving tech environment. Engineers here work on innovative projects for companies like Broadcom and eBay. The city provides a mix of challenges and opportunities.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  5. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $217,891
    San Jose is a key player in Silicon Valley. Engineers find many opportunities with companies like Intel and Cisco. The tech scene is vibrant, with constant innovation and growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  6. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $212,632
    Palo Alto is known for its tech innovation. Engineers work on cutting-edge projects for companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The city offers a mix of challenges and professional growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  7. Milpitas, CA
    Average Salary: $209,568
    Milpitas is home to many tech companies. Engineers here enjoy working on innovative projects. Companies like Applied Materials and Flex offer a dynamic work environment.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA


  8. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $185,885
    Fremont has a growing tech scene. Engineers work on exciting projects for companies like Tesla and Cadence Design Systems. The city offers a mix of challenges and opportunities.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Fremont, CA

What are the best paying companies for a Principal Engineer in Santa Clara, CA?

Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, offer high salaries at top companies. NVIDIA leads with an average salary of $340,630, followed closely by Qualcomm at $283,125. Amazon.com and Intel Corporation also provide competitive salaries, making them attractive options for job seekers.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, highlighting NVIDIA with the highest at $340,630 and Oracle with the lowest at $175,000.

  1. NVIDIA
    Average Salary: $340,630
    NVIDIA offers Principal Engineer roles with a focus on cutting-edge technology. The company operates in Santa Clara, CA, and other locations worldwide.


  2. Qualcomm
    Average Salary: $283,125
    Qualcomm provides opportunities for Principal Engineers in wireless technology. The company operates in Santa Clara, CA, and other locations globally.


  3. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $277,700
    Amazon.com offers Principal Engineer positions with a focus on innovation and technology. The company operates in Santa Clara, CA, and other locations worldwide.


  4. Intel Corporation
    Average Salary: $250,856
    Intel Corporation provides Principal Engineer roles with a focus on semiconductor technology. The company operates in Santa Clara, CA, and other locations globally.


  5. d-Matrix
    Average Salary: $221,800
    d-Matrix offers Principal Engineer positions with a focus on data analytics and technology. The company operates in Santa Clara, CA, and other locations.


  6. Roche
    Average Salary: $197,570
    Roche provides Principal Engineer roles with a focus on biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The company operates in Santa Clara, CA, and other locations worldwide.


  7. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $193,862
    Palo Alto Networks offers Principal Engineer positions with a focus on cybersecurity. The company operates in Santa Clara, CA, and other locations globally.


  8. Ampere Computing
    Average Salary: $188,314
    Ampere Computing provides Principal Engineer roles with a focus on high-performance computing. The company operates in Santa Clara, CA, and other locations.


  9. Marvell Technology
    Average Salary: $185,191
    Marvell Technology offers Principal Engineer positions with a focus on semiconductor technology. The company operates in Santa Clara, CA, and other locations worldwide.


  10. Oracle
    Average Salary: $175,000
    Oracle provides Principal Engineer roles with a focus on database technology. The company operates in Santa Clara, CA, and other locations globally.

Currently 449 Principal Engineer job openings, nationwide.

View Principal Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, 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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