As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Engineer in Lawrence, KS is $148,906 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.
However, a Principal Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A 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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a 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 |
|---|---|
| Engineer ... Level Principal Engineer | $101,556 |
| Engineer ... Level Principal Engineer | $128,537 |
| Principal... Level Principal Engineer | $148,412 |
| Engineer ... Level Principal Engineer | $171,538 |
| Engineeri... Level Principal Engineer | $78,819 |
What Am I Worth?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.06% |
| AWS | 2.1% |
| AutoCAD | 1.6% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Decision Making
|
$157,840 |
6%
|
|
Insight
|
$156,351 |
5%
|
|
Team Development
|
$154,862 |
4%
|
|
Innovation
|
$154,862 |
4%
|
|
Software Development
|
$154,862 |
4%
|
|
AWS
|
$154,862 |
4%
|
For Principal Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Principal Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $178,687 | $86.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $178,687 | $86.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $178,687 | $86.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $178,687 | $86.0 | 20% |
| Construction | $178,687 | $86.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a 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.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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