Principal Engineer Principal Engineer Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Principal Engineer Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Updated on Oct 10, 2026
Position
City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $223,826 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 $223,826 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 $18,652 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 $4,304 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 $108 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

In Santa Clara, CA, the salary for a Principal Engineer can be quite attractive. On average, these professionals make around $223,826 per year. This is a solid income that reflects the high demand for experienced engineers in tech-driven areas like Santa Clara.

Looking at the salary distribution, here are some key points:

  • Around 3.43% earn less than $155,900 annually.
  • About 12.24% make between $155,900 and $173,170.
  • The largest group, 32.81%, earns between $190,441 and $207,711.
  • Approximately 8.81% make between $224,982 and $242,252.
  • The top earners, around 2.94%, make over $345,875 per year.

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?

Job seekers interested in Principal Engineer roles near Santa Clara, CA, have many options in nearby cities. Mountain View offers the highest average salary at $283,005. Redwood City follows closely with an average salary of $270,114. These cities are known for their high demand for skilled engineering professionals.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near Santa Clara, CA, highlighting Mountain View, CA with the highest at $283,005 and Fremont, CA with the lowest at $177,402.

  1. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $283,005
    In Mountain View, tech leaders shape innovation. Major companies like Google offer exciting projects. Engineers have the chance to work on cutting-edge technologies.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  2. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $270,114
    Redwood City is a tech hub. Companies like Salesforce and Chewy thrive here. Engineers collaborate on large-scale projects.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  3. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $256,535
    Menlo Park offers a vibrant tech scene. Facebook and other tech giants operate here. Engineers drive innovation in user experience and tech development.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  4. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $243,625
    Sunnyvale is known for its tech industry. Companies like Broadcom and eBay create dynamic opportunities. Engineers work on diverse projects, pushing tech boundaries.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  5. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $241,368
    Palo Alto is a center for tech innovation. Companies like Tesla and Hewlett Packard Enterprise provide great work. Engineers engage in groundbreaking tech research and development.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  6. Cupertino, CA
    Average Salary: $236,739
    Cupertino is home to Apple. Engineers here focus on design and tech advancements. Working here means contributing to world-famous products.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Cupertino, CA


  7. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $230,356
    San Jose has a booming tech sector. Companies like Intel and AMD offer exciting projects. Engineers play key roles in tech innovation and development.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  8. Milpitas, CA
    Average Salary: $214,748
    Milpitas hosts major tech firms. Companies like Applied Materials and KLA Corporation drive tech forward. Engineers here work on cutting-edge tech solutions.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA


  9. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $177,402
    Fremont is an emerging tech hub. Companies like Tesla and Axcelis drive innovation. Engineers here work on high-impact projects, shaping the future of tech.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Fremont, CA

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

Looking for a top-paying Principal Engineer job in Santa Clara, CA? Consider companies like NVIDIA, Amazon, and Qualcomm. These employers offer high salaries, with averages reaching nearly $340,000 at top-tier firms. Working for these companies could mean a significant boost to your career and income.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, highlighting NVIDIA with the highest at $339,858 and Johnson & Johnson with the lowest at $157,706.

  1. NVIDIA
    Average Salary: $339,858
    NVIDIA in Santa Clara is a leader in visual computing technology. They develop graphics processors, AI tools, and more. Their Santa Clara location is key for their global impact.


  2. Amazon
    Average Salary: $277,700
    Amazon in Santa Clara is part of their global tech hub. They work on cloud computing and innovative tech solutions. The Santa Clara office drives major tech advancements.


  3. Qualcomm
    Average Salary: $271,200
    Qualcomm in Santa Clara focuses on wireless technology. They develop chips for smartphones and other devices. Their Santa Clara team plays a crucial role in tech innovation.


  4. Dell
    Average Salary: $261,629
    Dell in Santa Clara is a major tech company. They produce computers and tech solutions globally. Their Santa Clara office is a center for research and development.


  5. Intel Corporation
    Average Salary: $260,756
    Intel in Santa Clara is known for their semiconductor innovation. They design processors for computers and more. Their Santa Clara campus is a hub for tech excellence.


  6. Ampere
    Average Salary: $214,475
    Ampere in Santa Clara develops high-performance processors. They focus on delivering advanced computing solutions. Their Santa Clara team works on cutting-edge tech projects.


  7. Marvell Technology
    Average Salary: $200,082
    Marvell in Santa Clara specializes in semiconductor technology. They develop chips for data centers and networking. Their Santa Clara location is key for their operations.


  8. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $198,189
    Palo Alto Networks in Santa Clara focuses on cybersecurity. They provide software and hardware for network security. Their Santa Clara team drives their security solutions.


  9. SiTime
    Average Salary: $184,133
    SiTime in Santa Clara works in semiconductor timing solutions. They produce high-precision timing devices. Their Santa Clara facility is central to their tech innovation.


  10. Johnson & Johnson
    Average Salary: $157,706
    Johnson & Johnson in Santa Clara focuses on medical devices and pharmaceuticals. They develop products that improve health. Their Santa Clara office is part of their global network.

Currently 545 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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