Principal Engineer Principal Engineer Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Principal Engineer Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Updated on Jan 12, 2026
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Salary

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

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $219,790 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 $219,790 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 $18,316 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 $4,227 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 $106 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

If you are considering a career as a Principal Engineer in Santa Clara, CA, understanding the salary can help you make informed decisions. The average yearly salary for this role in Santa Clara stands at around $219,790. This figure serves as a solid benchmark for job seekers aiming to position themselves in this competitive field.


The salary for Principal Engineers can vary significantly based on experience and skill level. Here are some key points to consider:

  • The majority of Principal Engineers earn between $173,170 and $294,064 annually.
  • Top earners, representing the top 10% of the field, make upwards of $311,334 per year.
  • A small percentage, the top 1%, earn over $345,875 annually.

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?

Many job seekers look for top-paying Principal Engineer jobs near Santa Clara, CA. Redwood City, Mountain View, and Menlo Park stand out with the highest average salaries. These cities offer competitive compensation, making them attractive for experienced professionals.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near Santa Clara, CA, highlighting Redwood City, CA with the highest at $249,600 and Fremont, CA with the lowest at $189,533.

  1. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $249,600
    In Redwood City, tech companies thrive, offering leadership roles for innovative engineers. With top firms like Oracle and Electronic Arts, candidates have the chance to work on cutting-edge projects. The competitive salary makes it an attractive spot for seasoned professionals.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  2. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $242,293
    Mountain View is a hub for tech giants, providing a dynamic environment for engineering leaders. Companies like Google foster a culture of innovation. Engineers here can expect to work on impactful projects that drive global change.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  3. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $241,383
    Menlo Park is known for its tech innovation, offering excellent opportunities for senior engineers. With companies such as Facebook, professionals can contribute to transformative projects. The city’s vibrant tech scene makes it an appealing place to work.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  4. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $224,487
    Sunnyvale has a growing tech industry, presenting various opportunities for senior engineers. Companies like Broadcom and Tesla create an exciting atmosphere for innovation. The area’s diverse tech landscape offers rich career prospects.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  5. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $223,131
    Palo Alto is home to many tech leaders, offering a prestigious environment for engineering talent. With firms such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, professionals can expect to work on high-profile projects. The city’s tech-savvy culture supports career growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  6. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $222,763
    San Jose is a tech powerhouse, providing numerous opportunities for senior engineers. Companies like Cisco and Intel offer challenges and innovation. The city’s strong tech industry makes it a desirable place for tech professionals.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  7. Milpitas, CA
    Average Salary: $212,075
    Milpitas offers a growing tech scene with opportunities for senior engineers. With tech firms like Applied Materials, professionals can work on advanced projects. The area’s development presents a promising career path.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA


  8. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $189,533
    Fremont has a burgeoning tech industry, offering roles for senior engineers. Companies like Flex and TE Connectivity create a stimulating work environment. The city’s evolving tech landscape provides ample growth 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 some of the highest salaries in the tech industry. Companies like NVIDIA and Qualcomm lead the pack with average salaries around $340,000 and $283,000 respectively. Intel Corporation and Amazon also provide attractive packages, with averages exceeding $250,000. Additionally, companies such as d-Matrix and Palo Alto Networks offer competitive salaries for experienced engineers. These firms value innovation and technical expertise, making them attractive options for career advancement. Job seekers will find a range of opportunities with excellent compensation across these leading organizations.
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, a leader in visual computing, offers Principal Engineer roles that focus on cutting-edge technologies. Based in Santa Clara, CA, the company provides opportunities in AI, graphics, and data centers.


  2. Qualcomm
    Average Salary: $283,367
    Qualcomm, known for wireless technology, hires Principal Engineers to work on innovative projects. Santa Clara is one of the many locations where Qualcomm operates, focusing on wireless connectivity.


  3. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $277,700
    Amazon seeks Principal Engineers to advance its technology and services. Based in Santa Clara, engineers work on diverse projects ranging from cloud computing to robotics.


  4. Intel Corporation
    Average Salary: $250,856
    Intel, a tech giant, employs Principal Engineers in Santa Clara to innovate in semiconductor design. The company has a global presence with a strong focus on innovation.


  5. d-Matrix
    Average Salary: $221,800
    d-Matrix, specializing in hardware design and development, offers Principal Engineer positions in Santa Clara. The company values innovation and has operations in various tech sectors.


  6. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $195,596
    Palo Alto Networks, a cybersecurity firm, hires Principal Engineers to develop advanced security solutions. Santa Clara is one of the key locations for its operations in the cybersecurity industry.


  7. Roche
    Average Salary: $194,892
    Roche, a healthcare company, employs Principal Engineers to work on medical technology. The Santa Clara location focuses on innovations that impact global healthcare.


  8. Ampere Computing
    Average Salary: $188,314
    Ampere Computing, known for high-performance computing, offers Principal Engineer roles in Santa Clara. The company focuses on developing advanced computing solutions.


  9. Marvell Technology
    Average Salary: $187,629
    Marvell Technology, a semiconductor company, hires Principal Engineers to work on networking and storage solutions. Santa Clara is one of the locations where the company has a significant presence.


  10. Oracle
    Average Salary: $175,000
    Oracle, a leader in database technology, offers Principal Engineer positions in Santa Clara. The company works on innovative solutions in cloud computing and enterprise software.

Currently 402 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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Principal Engineer
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