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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Design Engineer in California is $127,779 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.
However, a Principal Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Principal Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $142,145 | $11,845 | $2,734 | $68 |
| Average | $127,779 | $10,648 | $2,457 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,760 | $9,813 | $2,265 | $57 |
SiTime Corporation - Santa Clara, CA
FEI-Zyfer - Garden Grove, CA
Elevate Semiconductor - San Diego, CA
Ethan Alexander Group - San Diego, CA
A Principal Design 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 Principal Design 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 |
|---|---|
| Product D... Level Principal Design Engineer | $89,368 |
| Product D... Level Principal Design Engineer | $101,369 |
| Principal... Level Principal Design Engineer | $126,723 |
| Product D... Level Principal Design Engineer | $154,731 |
| Product D... Level Principal Design Engineer | $181,257 |
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 Design 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 Principal Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 180% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 90% above the average. In contrast, Principal Design Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $242,781 | $117.0 | 90% |
| MFG Nondurable | $230,003 | $111.0 | 80% |
| Construction | $217,225 | $104.0 | 70% |
| Media | $204,447 | $98.0 | 60% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $191,669 | $92.0 | 50% |
Understanding how a Principal Design 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 | $142,145 | $11,845 | $2,734 | $68 |
| Average | $127,779 | $10,648 | $2,457 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,760 | $9,813 | $2,265 | $57 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Russell Solutions Group
Menlo Park, CA
Russell Solutions Group | Menlo Park, CA
Job Description. Job Description. PURPOSE OF JOB. The Principal R&D Engineer position works closely with the engineering teams to help design and develop t... more
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Eliyan Corporation
Hayes Valley, CA
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Eliyan Corporation, a leading chiplet startup in San Francisco, is seeking a Principal Physical Design Engineer to drive the development of cutting-edge AS... more
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Tustin, CA
Attalon, Inc. | Tustin, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Optical Engineer. Job Details. The Optical Engineer's function is to plan, design, analyze, communicate, and execute the ... more
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The Hiring Method, LLC
Fremont, CA
The Hiring Method, LLC | Fremont, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Work Setting. Onsite – Fremont, CA. Compensation. $150,000 - $202,000 base salary with a 16% target annual bonus. Benefit... more
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CesiumAstro
El Segundo, CA
CesiumAstro | El Segundo, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Please Note. To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.... more
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Eliyan
Hayes Valley, CA
Eliyan | Hayes Valley, CA
A leading chiplet startup in San Francisco is seeking a Principal Physical Design Engineer to drive the development of advanced ASICs. In this role, you wi... more
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