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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Design Engineer in Montana is $109,371 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.
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 | $121,667 | $10,139 | $2,340 | $58 |
| Average | $109,371 | $9,114 | $2,103 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,795 | $8,400 | $1,938 | $48 |
DJ&A - Missoula, MT
RigUp - Billings, MT
Griffin Global Systems - Butte, MT
Griffin Global Systems - Butte, MT
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 | $76,494 |
| Product D... Level Principal Design Engineer | $86,765 |
| Principal... Level Principal Design Engineer | $108,467 |
| Product D... Level Principal Design Engineer | $132,440 |
| Product D... Level Principal Design Engineer | $155,145 |
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 | $207,805 | $100.0 | 90% |
| MFG Nondurable | $196,868 | $95.0 | 80% |
| Construction | $185,931 | $89.0 | 70% |
| Media | $174,994 | $84.0 | 60% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $164,057 | $79.0 | 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 | $121,667 | $10,139 | $2,340 | $58 |
| Average | $109,371 | $9,114 | $2,103 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,795 | $8,400 | $1,938 | $48 |
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.
Mark Rite Lines Equipment Company Inc
Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
Mark Rite Lines Equipment Company Inc | Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
Job Description. Job Description. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities. Develops layout concepts, parameters, and designs for new and existing product... more
2 Days Ago
FindTalent
Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
FindTalent | Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
Job Description. Job Description. Job Opportunity: Substation Design Engineer. FindTalent is seeking a skilled Substation Design Engineer to join our clien... more
1 Day Ago
Blacksheep Engineering
Bozeman, MT
Blacksheep Engineering | Bozeman, MT
Job Description. Job Description. Description. We are seeking a talented Mechanical Engineer to join our team. In this position, you will play a key role i... more
2 Days Ago
Providence Health & Services
, MT
Providence Health & Services | , MT
Description. Senior Principal Software Engineer IS - Hybrid. The Senior Principal Software Engineer takes end-to-end ownership for development and quality ... more
1 Day Ago
Providence Health & Services
, MT
Providence Health & Services | , MT
Providence Health & Services is looking for a Senior Principal Software Engineer to take end-to-end ownership of development and quality of solutions. This... more
1 Day Ago
Williams Plumbing / Civil Construction
Belgrade, MT
Williams Plumbing / Civil Construction | Belgrade, MT
Williams does not offer H-1B sponsorship for this role. This is a full-time onsite position based at our office in Belgrade, Montana. Remote work is not av... more
4 Days Ago
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