How much does a Principal Engineer make in Seattle, WA?
A Principal Engineer in Seattle, WA, enjoys a competitive salary. The average yearly salary for this role is around $223,024. This figure is slightly higher than the national average, making Seattle an attractive location for professionals in this field. The salary range for Principal Engineers in the city typically starts from about $110,550 for those with less experience and can reach up to $354,000 for top-tier professionals.
The distribution of salaries among Principal Engineers shows a wide range. Here are some key points:
- 18.10% of engineers earn between $154,814 and $176,945.
- 16.29% earn between $221,209 and $243,341.
- 19.00% earn between $243,341 and $265,473.
What are the highest paying cities for a Principal Engineer near Seattle, WA?

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Kirkland, WA
Average Salary: $354,000
In Kirkland, technology companies thrive and offer exciting opportunities for engineers. The city’s tech scene is vibrant, with many firms seeking skilled professionals to drive innovation. Kirkland’s quality of life makes it an attractive place to work.
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Redmond, WA
Average Salary: $219,976
Redmond is home to tech giants where engineers can make a big impact. Companies here focus on cutting-edge projects and offer a dynamic work environment. The city supports a healthy work-life balance, making it a great place for professionals.
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Bellevue, WA
Average Salary: $202,787
Bellevue boasts a bustling tech industry and plenty of job opportunities for engineers. The city’s companies are at the forefront of innovation, providing a challenging and rewarding work experience. Bellevue's vibrant community adds to the appeal for tech professionals.
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Bothell, WA
Average Salary: $165,081
Bothell offers a mix of small startups and larger tech companies, giving engineers diverse opportunities. The city’s friendly atmosphere and strong sense of community make it an excellent place for career growth. Bothell provides a perfect blend of professional opportunities and quality of life.
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What are the best paying companies for a Principal Engineer in Seattle, WA?

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Google
Average Salary: $354,000
Google is a technology giant that offers Principal Engineer roles across various departments in Seattle, WA. The company focuses on internet services and products, including search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Principal Engineers at Google work on innovative projects that shape the future of technology.
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Atlassian
Average Salary: $263,513
Atlassian, a leading software company, offers Principal Engineer positions in Seattle, WA. The company specializes in creating tools for software development and project management. Principal Engineers at Atlassian develop and improve tools that help teams collaborate more effectively and efficiently.
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SoFi
Average Salary: $261,000
SoFi is a financial services company with Principal Engineer roles available in Seattle, WA. The company focuses on lending services for students and consumers. Principal Engineers at SoFi design and implement secure and scalable financial technology solutions.
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DigitalOcean
Average Salary: $237,600
DigitalOcean, a cloud infrastructure provider, has Principal Engineer positions in Seattle, WA. The company enables developers to build, deploy, and manage applications easily. Principal Engineers at DigitalOcean work on improving cloud computing technologies to offer better services to developers.
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Nordstrom
Average Salary: $231,643
Nordstrom, a high-end retailer, offers Principal Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA. The company focuses on providing fashion and luxury goods. Principal Engineers at Nordstrom enhance the online shopping experience by improving the website and application performance.
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Starbucks
Average Salary: $220,425
Starbucks, a global coffeehouse chain, has Principal Engineer roles in Seattle, WA. The company focuses on coffee and food products. Principal Engineers at Starbucks develop technology solutions to enhance the customer experience both in-store and online.
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Blue Origin
Average Salary: $206,630
Blue Origin, a space transportation company, offers Principal Engineer positions in Seattle, WA. The company works on developing reusable rockets and spacecraft. Principal Engineers at Blue Origin play a critical role in advancing space technology and exploration.
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Costco Wholesale
Average Salary: $195,000
Costco Wholesale, a membership-only retailer, offers Principal Engineer roles in Seattle, WA. The company sells a wide range of products from electronics to groceries. Principal Engineers at Costco improve the warehouse management and supply chain systems to ensure efficient operations.
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AeroTEC
Average Salary: $175,875
AeroTEC, an aerospace engineering company, has Principal Engineer positions in Seattle, WA. The company works on various aerospace projects and research. Principal Engineers at AeroTEC design and develop advanced aerospace technologies and systems.
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Amazon.com
Average Salary: $168,185
Amazon, a global e-commerce leader, offers Principal Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA. The company provides a wide range of products and services online. Principal Engineers at Amazon work on improving the online shopping experience and developing new technologies to enhance customer satisfaction.
What are the best paying Principal Engineer related jobs in Seattle, WA?

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Machine Learning Engineer
Average Salary: $198,479
These professionals design models that learn from data. At companies like Microsoft and Amazon, they work on projects that improve user experiences. This role requires strong skills in programming and statistics.
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Staff Engineer
Average Salary: $195,161
These experts guide technical teams and projects. At firms like Google and Apple, they ensure the development process follows best practices. They often manage junior engineers and focus on code quality.
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Research Manager
Average Salary: $181,370
These leaders oversee research projects. At institutions like the University of Washington, they manage teams and budgets. They need to be good at guiding research efforts and reporting findings.
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Solutions Architect
Average Salary: $175,722
They design software solutions for clients. At companies like Accenture and Deloitte, they work closely with teams to meet business needs. This job needs a strong understanding of technology and business processes.
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Technical Architect
Average Salary: $175,291
These professionals design technical infrastructure. At firms like Boeing and Amazon, they create blueprints for software systems. They focus on efficiency and scalability of the technology solutions.
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Director of Engineering
Average Salary: $167,833
They lead engineering teams. At companies like Microsoft and Boeing, they oversee projects from start to finish. This role requires strong leadership and management skills.
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Data Engineer
Average Salary: $148,800
These specialists prepare data for analysis. At firms like Amazon and Microsoft, they build systems for data collection and storage. This job involves working with databases and programming languages.
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Cloud Engineer
Average Salary: $146,791
They manage cloud computing services. At companies like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, they ensure systems run smoothly. This role needs strong technical skills and problem-solving abilities.
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DevOps Engineer
Average Salary: $141,219
They streamline software development. At companies like Google and Microsoft, they automate processes between development and operations. This job requires collaboration and technical skills.
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