Principal Engineer Principal Engineer Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Principal Engineer Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Updated on Jul 10, 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 $224,495 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 $224,495 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 $18,708 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 $4,317 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.

Principal Engineers in Santa Clara, CA can expect to earn a competitive salary. On average, they make around $224,495 per year. This number can vary based on experience and company. Santa Clara is known for its technology companies, which often offer high salaries to attract top talent.

The salary range for Principal Engineers in Santa Clara can vary widely. At the lower end, some earn around $155,900 annually. At the higher end, salaries can reach up to $348,750 per year. These figures show that Principal Engineers in Santa Clara have the potential to earn a very good income. Many factors influence these numbers, including the size of the company and the specific skills of the engineer.

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 attractive salaries in nearby cities. Mountain View leads with an average salary of $269,155, making it a top choice for skilled professionals. Other cities like Redwood City and Menlo Park also offer competitive pay, with average salaries around $253,275 and $249,496, respectively. These cities provide excellent opportunities for those in the engineering field. Their proximity to Santa Clara ensures a strong job market and potential for career advancement. Job seekers can find rewarding positions with the chance to make a significant impact.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal Engineer jobs near Santa Clara, CA, highlighting Mountain View, CA with the highest at $269,155 and Fremont, CA with the lowest at $189,219.

  1. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $269,155
    In Mountain View, work as an engineer at tech giants like Google. This city offers dynamic projects and a collaborative work environment. Employees enjoy a mix of innovation and stability in one of Silicon Valley's historic tech hubs.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  2. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $253,275
    Redwood City is home to companies like Salesforce and Chewy. Engineers here focus on cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. The area provides a vibrant work culture with plenty of opportunities for professional growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  3. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $249,496
    Menlo Park, known for its tech companies like Facebook, offers exciting challenges for engineers. The work environment promotes creativity and teamwork. Employees enjoy a mix of innovation and a supportive community.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  4. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $237,855
    Sunnyvale is a hub for tech companies like NVIDIA and Adobe. Engineers here work on exciting projects in a fast-paced environment. The city provides a vibrant atmosphere with a mix of innovation and stability.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  5. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $232,444
    Palo Alto offers a mix of startups and established companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Engineers enjoy innovative projects in a dynamic work environment. The city provides a supportive community with plenty of opportunities for growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  6. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $228,014
    San Jose is a tech hub with companies like Intel and eBay. Engineers here work on innovative projects in a vibrant environment. The city offers a mix of stability and exciting opportunities for professional development.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  7. Saratoga, CA
    Average Salary: $226,875
    Saratoga is home to companies like Tesla and Cisco. Engineers enjoy innovative projects in a fast-paced environment. The city provides a balance of work and a supportive community with plenty of opportunities for growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Saratoga, CA


  8. Milpitas, CA
    Average Salary: $220,831
    Milpitas is known for companies like Applied Materials and Cadence Design Systems. Engineers work on cutting-edge projects in a dynamic environment. The city offers a mix of stability and innovation with plenty of opportunities for professional growth.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA


  9. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $189,219
    Fremont is home to companies like Flex and Avago Technologies. Engineers here work on innovative projects in a collaborative environment. The city provides a supportive community with plenty of opportunities for professional development.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Fremont, CA

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

Companies in Santa Clara, CA offer great salaries for Principal Engineer jobs. NVIDIA leads with an average salary of over $339,000. Other top companies include Amazon.com and Qualcomm, both offering over $275,000. These companies provide excellent opportunities for those with the right skills and experience. Intel Corporation and BMC Software also offer competitive salaries, above $250,000 and $230,000 respectively. Being in Santa Clara, CA offers access to top-tier technology jobs with attractive pay packages.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, highlighting NVIDIA with the highest at $339,847 and SiTime Corporation with the lowest at $185,467.

  1. NVIDIA
    Average Salary: $339,847
    NVIDIA, based in Santa Clara, CA, leads in designing and manufacturing graphics processors and AI technology. They offer diverse opportunities for Principal Engineers to work on cutting-edge projects and innovations. They operate globally, influencing industries from gaming to data centers.


  2. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $277,700
    Amazon, a global retail and technology giant headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, provides numerous opportunities for Principal Engineers to work on web services and innovative tech solutions. They operate in multiple sectors worldwide, offering exciting career paths.


  3. Qualcomm
    Average Salary: $276,220
    Qualcomm, located in Santa Clara, CA, is a leading manufacturer of wireless technology products. They offer Principal Engineers the chance to work on wireless communications and semiconductor innovations. Qualcomm has a global presence, impacting various tech sectors.


  4. Intel Corporation
    Average Salary: $256,432
    Intel Corporation, based in Santa Clara, CA, is a major semiconductor chip maker. They provide Principal Engineers with the opportunity to work on computer and data processing technologies. With a worldwide footprint, Intel is a key player in the tech industry.


  5. BMC Software
    Average Salary: $232,633
    BMC Software, in Santa Clara, CA, specializes in software solutions for IT infrastructure. They offer Principal Engineers roles in developing and enhancing IT management software. They operate globally, focusing on simplifying IT operations.


  6. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $196,095
    Palo Alto Networks, headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, is a cybersecurity leader. They provide Principal Engineers opportunities to work on network security solutions. Their global operations focus on delivering advanced cybersecurity products.


  7. Marvell Technology
    Average Salary: $195,623
    Marvell Technology, based in Santa Clara, CA, offers Principal Engineers roles in semiconductor technology. They develop chips for networking and storage solutions. Their global presence allows them to impact various tech sectors.


  8. Roche
    Average Salary: $194,892
    Roche, with its Santa Clara location, focuses on healthcare. They offer Principal Engineers positions in developing medical technology and pharmaceuticals. Their global reach allows them to make significant contributions to healthcare.


  9. Ampere Computing
    Average Salary: $191,677
    Ampere Computing, based in Santa Clara, CA, specializes in semiconductor technology. They offer Principal Engineers roles in developing high-performance processors. Their focus is on creating innovative solutions for data centers and AI.


  10. SiTime Corporation
    Average Salary: $185,467
    SiTime Corporation, located in Santa Clara, CA, focuses on precision timing technology. They offer Principal Engineers opportunities to work on semiconductor solutions. Their global presence allows them to impact various industries with their technology.

Currently 491 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?

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