Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Compensation Analyst in Tennessee is $117,880 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, a Principal Compensation Analyst's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
Principal Compensation Analyst Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $127,130 | $10,594 | $2,445 | $61 |
| Average | $117,880 | $9,823 | $2,267 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $111,240 | $9,270 | $2,139 | $53 |
Erlanger Health System - Chattanooga, TN
PRINDLE, GOETZ, BARNES & REINHOLTZ LLP - LONG BEACH, CA
Arrivia, Inc. - SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Raucy - ORLANDO, FL
A Principal Compensation Analyst's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Principal Compensation Analyst's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation Specialist II | 2-4 years | $74,006 |
| Compensation Specialist III | 4-7 years | $97,073 |
| Principal Compensation Analyst | 7+ years | $117,872 |
| Compensation Team Leader | 7+ years | $113,029 |
| Manager Global Compensation | 7+ years | $129,381 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Principal Compensation Analysts. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Principal Compensation Analyst salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $131,960. While startup companies pay approximate $111,635.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $111,635 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $118,067 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $127,431 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $131,960 |
For Principal Compensation Analyst roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Principal Compensation Analyst positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Compensation Analyst as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $135,562 | $65.0 | 15% |
| Construction | $132,026 | $63.0 | 12% |
| MFG Durable | $129,668 | $62.0 | 10% |
| Business Services | $127,310 | $61.0 | 8% |
| Energy & Utilities | $126,132 | $61.0 | 7% |
Understanding how a Principal Compensation Analyst's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $127,130 | $10,594 | $2,445 | $61 |
| Average | $117,880 | $9,823 | $2,267 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $111,240 | $9,270 | $2,139 | $53 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Principal Compensation Analyst, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation Team Leader | $113,100 | -4% |
| Executive Compensation Analysis Manager | $173,900 | 48% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Compensation Analyst job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Fidelity Corp
WESTLAKE, TX
Fidelity Corp | WESTLAKE, TX
Job Description: Position Description : Evaluates and validates impacts to data models and datasets and breaks down large initiatives into manageable deliv... more
4 Days Ago
ManTech International
CHANTILLY, VA
EQH
CHARLOTTE, NC
EQH | CHARLOTTE, NC
What You Will Bring Strong verbal and written communication skills Previous customer service experience Ability to research and resolve complex issues effi... more
5 Days Ago
Professional Case Management
SCHILLER PARK, IL
Professional Case Management | SCHILLER PARK, IL
Professional Case Management is seeking a Principal Investigator to lead clinical and scientific research within our Healthcare & Medical organization. In ... more
8 Days Ago
Marvin
WARROAD, MN
Marvin | WARROAD, MN
Marvin is seeking an Enterprise Commodity Agent Principal to lead sourcing of direct materials for our premium window and door manufacturing operations. In... more
3 Days Ago
Amazon
BELLEVUE, WA
Amazon | BELLEVUE, WA
Amazon is seeking a Principal Applied Scientist to drive advanced ML and AI for Alexa International. You will define science strategy, design and implement... more
3 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
