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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Principal Engineer in Alabama is $136,836 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.
However, a Mechanical Principal Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Mechanical Principal Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $143,709 | $11,976 | $2,764 | $69 |
| Average | $136,836 | $11,403 | $2,631 | $66 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,122 | $10,843 | $2,502 | $63 |
Douglas Manufacturing - Pell City, AL
ALL PLASTICS AND FIBERGLASS, INC. - Mobile, AL
ALTEN Technology USA - Huntsville, AL
TCS - Huntsville, AL
A Mechanical Principal Engineer'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 Mechanical Principal Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Principal Engineer | $99,433 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Principal Engineer | $118,480 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Principal Engineer | $136,330 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Principal Engineer | $173,451 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Principal Engineer | $93,218 |
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 Mechanical Principal Engineers. 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:
For Mechanical Principal Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Principal Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Principal Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $171,045 | $82.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $164,203 | $79.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $157,361 | $76.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $157,361 | $76.0 | 15% |
| Software & Networking | $157,361 | $76.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Mechanical Principal Engineer'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 | $143,709 | $11,976 | $2,764 | $69 |
| Average | $136,836 | $11,403 | $2,631 | $66 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,122 | $10,843 | $2,502 | $63 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mechanical Principal Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
TCS
Huntsville, AL
TCS | Huntsville, AL
Job Description. Job Description. Clearances Required: Active DoD Secret. Location: Huntsville, Alabama, United States. Job Description. TCS is searching f... more
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TCS
Huntsville, AL
TCS | Huntsville, AL
Job Description. Job Description. Senior Principal DevSecOps Engineer. Clearances Required: Active DoD Secret. Location: Huntsville, Alabama, United States... more
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TCS
Huntsville, AL
TCS | Huntsville, AL
Job Description. Job Description. Principal DevSecOps Engineer. Clearances Required: Active DoD Secret. Location: Huntsville, Alabama, United States. Note:... more
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TCS
Huntsville, AL
TCS | Huntsville, AL
Job Description. Job Description. Clearances Required: Active DoD Secret. Location: Huntsville, Alabama, United States. Job Description. TCS is searching f... more
9 Days Ago
TCS
Huntsville, AL
TCS | Huntsville, AL
Job Description. Job Description. Clearances Required: Active DoD Secret. Location: Huntsville, Alabama, United States. Job Description. TCS is searching f... more
9 Days Ago
Monte Sano Research Corporation
Huntsville, AL
Monte Sano Research Corporation | Huntsville, AL
Job Description. Job Description. Monte Sano Research Corporation (MSRC) is a Huntsville-based Small Business specializing in providing full-spectrum defen... more
9 Days Ago
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