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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Design Engineer in Ohio is $112,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
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 | $125,482 | $10,457 | $2,413 | $60 |
| Average | $112,800 | $9,400 | $2,169 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,955 | $8,663 | $1,999 | $50 |
System One - Evendale, OH
Mike Albert Leasing - Cincinnati, OH
T&M Associates - Columbus, OH
ANS - Columbus, OH
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 | $78,892 |
| Product D... Level Principal Design Engineer | $89,486 |
| Principal... Level Principal Design Engineer | $111,868 |
| Product D... Level Principal Design Engineer | $136,593 |
| Product D... Level Principal Design Engineer | $160,009 |
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 | $214,320 | $103.0 | 90% |
| MFG Nondurable | $203,040 | $98.0 | 80% |
| Construction | $191,760 | $92.0 | 70% |
| Media | $180,480 | $87.0 | 60% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $169,200 | $81.0 | 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 | $125,482 | $10,457 | $2,413 | $60 |
| Average | $112,800 | $9,400 | $2,169 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,955 | $8,663 | $1,999 | $50 |
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.
Eagle Crusher Company Inc
Bucyrus, OH
Eagle Crusher Company Inc | Bucyrus, OH
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Clopay Corporation
Mason, OH
Clopay Corporation | Mason, OH
Open the Door to Your Future with Clopay Corporation & CornellCookson. At. Clopay Corporation. we are more than just North America’s largest residential an... more
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Pentangle Tech Services | P5 Group
Raymond, OH
Pentangle Tech Services | P5 Group | Raymond, OH
Job Title: Design Engineer. Location. Raymond, OH. Job Responsibilities. Work closely with. HDMA PICs (Persons In Charge). to develop feasible design layou... more
3 Days Ago
The Dupps Company
Germantown, OH
The Dupps Company | Germantown, OH
The Dupps Company is seeking a Product Design Engineer at our Germantown, Ohio facility. This person will start out helping us in our drafting department. ... more
3 Days Ago
Best Block
West Chester, OH
Best Block | West Chester, OH
Job Description. Job Description. The. Design Engineer. provides technical expertise and engineering support for Contech Engineered Solutions’ Hard Armor a... more
3 Days Ago
Akkodis
Raymond, OH
Akkodis | Raymond, OH
Akkodis is seeking a. Design Engineer. for a. Contract 7+ Months. job with a client in. Raymond, OH. Rate Range. $40/hour to $50/hour. on W2. The rate may ... more
4 Days Ago
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