Principal Engineer Principal Engineer Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Principal Engineer Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Updated on May 10, 2026
Position
City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $224,343 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 $224,343 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 $18,695 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 $4,314 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, a Principal Engineer typically earns an average yearly salary of $224,343. This is a competitive salary that reflects the demand for experienced engineering talent in this tech-heavy region. The range of salaries for this role can vary greatly, depending on factors such as years of experience, specific skills, and the company.


The salary data shows a distribution that breaks down as follows:

  • 4.30% earn around $155,410
  • 17.62% earn about $172,986
  • 32.24% earn around $190,563
  • 12.47% earn about $208,139
  • 4.73% earn around $225,715
  • 1.29% earn about $243,292
  • 9.03% earn around $260,868
  • 0.86% earn about $278,445
  • 1.29% earn around $296,021
  • 1.72% earn about $313,597
  • 9.46% earn around $331,174
  • 1.29% earn about $348,750
This wide range suggests that there are numerous opportunities for salary growth as Principal Engineers gain experience and take on more responsibility.

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 looking for Principal Engineer roles can find great opportunities in cities near Santa Clara, CA. Mountain View, CA, offers the highest average salary at $264,384, making it a prime location for professionals in this field. Nearby, cities like Redwood City, CA, and Menlo Park, CA, also provide strong compensation packages, with average salaries around $250,833 and $242,927, respectively. In these areas, companies value skilled engineers, which can help job seekers secure attractive positions. For those willing to explore nearby cities, Sunnyvale, CA, and Palo Alto, CA, offer average salaries of $234,824 and $231,606, respectively. These figures highlight the region's demand for top engineering talent.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near Santa Clara, CA, highlighting Mountain View, CA with the highest at $264,384 and Fremont, CA with the lowest at $187,300.

  1. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $264,384
    Mountain View offers many job opportunities for engineers. The tech scene thrives here, with big names like Google. Working here means being part of a vibrant community that values innovation.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  2. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $250,833
    Redwood City has a strong tech presence with companies like Salesforce. Working here offers the chance to be part of cutting-edge projects. The area supports a healthy work-life balance.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  3. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $242,927
    Menlo Park is known for Facebook and its tech companies. Here, engineers can work on projects that impact millions. The city offers a friendly atmosphere with a strong focus on technology.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  4. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $234,824
    Sunnyvale hosts many tech giants like Intel and eBay. Engineers here can work on projects that push technology forward. The city has a dynamic environment for professional growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  5. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $231,606
    Palo Alto is home to companies such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Working here means being part of a community that values innovation. The tech scene here is vibrant and supportive.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  6. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $228,143
    San Jose is Silicon Valley's heart, with companies like VMware and Cisco. Engineers here have access to top-tier projects. The city offers a rich environment for professional development.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  7. Milpitas, CA
    Average Salary: $220,831
    Milpitas is known for its tech industry, with companies like Flex and Applied Materials. Working here means being part of projects that drive innovation. The community is supportive and tech-focused.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA


  8. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $187,300
    Fremont has companies such as Nvidia and Tesla. Engineers here can work on groundbreaking projects. The city offers a good balance of work and life.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Fremont, CA

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

Principal Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA, offer high salaries at top tech companies. For example, working at NVIDIA can bring in an average of $339,454 per year. Companies like Amazon.com and Qualcomm also provide strong compensation, with average salaries around $277,700 and $276,220 respectively. These positions allow engineers to lead projects and contribute to innovative technologies in a top tech hub.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, highlighting NVIDIA with the highest at $339,454 and Oracle with the lowest at $175,000.

  1. NVIDIA
    Average Salary: $339,454
    NVIDIA offers exciting opportunities for Principal Engineers. They focus on advancing AI and graphics technology. The company has offices in Santa Clara and other locations, providing a dynamic work environment.


  2. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $277,700
    At Amazon, Principal Engineers lead innovative projects. They work on cutting-edge technologies in cloud computing. Amazon operates worldwide, offering global opportunities and a diverse work culture.


  3. Qualcomm
    Average Salary: $276,220
    Qualcomm is a leading player in wireless technology. Principal Engineers here innovate in mobile communications. They have offices globally, providing diverse projects and a strong engineering focus.


  4. Intel Corporation
    Average Salary: $251,381
    Intel Corporation focuses on semiconductor technology. Principal Engineers work on advancing chip design and performance. They have multiple locations, offering a mix of research and practical applications.


  5. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $195,721
    Palo Alto Networks specializes in cybersecurity. Principal Engineers develop secure network solutions. They have offices around the world, combining innovative projects with a global outlook.


  6. Roche
    Average Salary: $194,892
    Roche, a global healthcare company, offers roles for Principal Engineers in biotech. They focus on improving patient care through technology. Roche operates worldwide, providing diverse challenges and a global perspective.


  7. Ampere Computing
    Average Salary: $191,677
    Ampere Computing focuses on high-performance computing. Principal Engineers work on next-gen data centers. They have offices in Santa Clara and other locations, offering innovative projects and a forward-thinking environment.


  8. Marvell Technology
    Average Salary: $190,668
    Marvell Technology is known for semiconductor solutions. Principal Engineers innovate in connectivity and storage. They have offices globally, providing a mix of research and practical applications.


  9. SiTime Corporation
    Average Salary: $180,350
    SiTime Corporation specializes in precision timing solutions. Principal Engineers work on innovative timekeeping technology. They have offices in Santa Clara, offering a focused and innovative work environment.


  10. Oracle
    Average Salary: $175,000
    Oracle focuses on database and cloud solutions. Principal Engineers innovate in software and cloud services. They have multiple locations worldwide, providing a mix of cutting-edge projects and a global perspective.

Currently 560 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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