As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Database Engineer in Ardmore, TN is $159,059 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.
However, a Principal Database Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Principal Database 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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Principal Database 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 |
|---|---|
| Database ... Level Principal Database Engineer | $117,839 |
| Database ... Level Principal Database Engineer | $135,316 |
| Principal... Level Principal Database Engineer | $157,883 |
| Database ... Level Principal Database Engineer | $177,025 |
| Database ... Level Principal Database Engineer | $102,654 |
What Am I Worth?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| People Management | 3.03% |
| AWS | 3.77% |
| Open Source | 3.07% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
People Management
|
$179,737 |
13%
|
|
Open Source
|
$170,193 |
7%
|
|
Experimenting
|
$167,012 |
5%
|
|
Mentoring Others
|
$167,012 |
5%
|
|
Accountability
|
$165,421 |
4%
|
|
Data Engineering
|
$165,421 |
4%
|
For Principal Database Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 43% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Principal Database Engineer positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Database Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $190,871 | $92.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $187,690 | $90.0 | 18% |
| Energy & Utilities | $182,918 | $88.0 | 15% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $181,327 | $87.0 | 14% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $178,146 | $86.0 | 12% |
Understanding how a Principal Database 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.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Database Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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