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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Principal Engineer in Texas is $145,281 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $70.
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 | $152,579 | $12,715 | $2,934 | $73 |
| Average | $145,281 | $12,107 | $2,794 | $70 |
| 25th Percentile | $138,153 | $11,513 | $2,657 | $66 |
Dell Careers - Austin, TX
Dell Careers - Austin, TX
GEODynamics, - Millsap, TX
Futures Consulting - Austin, TX
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 | $105,570 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Principal Engineer | $125,792 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Principal Engineer | $144,744 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Principal Engineer | $184,156 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Principal Engineer | $98,971 |
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 | $181,601 | $87.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $174,337 | $84.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $167,073 | $80.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $167,073 | $80.0 | 15% |
| Software & Networking | $167,073 | $80.0 | 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 | $152,579 | $12,715 | $2,934 | $73 |
| Average | $145,281 | $12,107 | $2,794 | $70 |
| 25th Percentile | $138,153 | $11,513 | $2,657 | $66 |
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.
Jindal PIPE
Baytown, TX
Jindal PIPE | Baytown, TX
Job Description. Job Description. The duties of the Mechanical Engineer position will include. Research, develop, design, test and implement the installati... more
7 Days Ago
Futures Consulting
San Antonio, TX
Futures Consulting | San Antonio, TX
Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Engineer (EIT) – 3-5 Years. Location. San Antonio, TX. Position Overview. We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer... more
7 Days Ago
Dorian Tool
East Bernard, TX
Dorian Tool | East Bernard, TX
Job Description. Job Description. Dorian Tool. Job Title: Mechanical Engineer. Department: Engineering. Report To: President. Position Summary. This positi... more
8 Days Ago
OEM, Inc.
San Antonio, TX
OEM, Inc. | San Antonio, TX
Job Description. Job Description. OEM, Inc. is an established engineering and manufacturing company with more than 46 years of industry experience. We desi... more
8 Days Ago
Alpine Polytech
Fort Worth, TX
Alpine Polytech | Fort Worth, TX
Job Description. Job Description. Position Overview: Engineer (Full Time). Alpine Polytech is an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited materials and equipment perf... more
9 Days Ago
Jobot
Richardson, TX
Jobot | Richardson, TX
A great opportunity to join a growing Accounting Firm that is offering multiple bonus's per year & flexible schedule. This Jobot Job is hosted by: Lauren L... more
13 Days Ago
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