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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Engineer in Ohio is $154,143 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.
However, a Principal Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Principal Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $161,090 | $13,424 | $3,098 | $77 |
| Average | $154,143 | $12,845 | $2,964 | $74 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,208 | $12,184 | $2,812 | $70 |
Mike Albert Leasing - Cincinnati, OH
System One - Evendale, OH
T&M Associates - Columbus, OH
ANS - Columbus, OH
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 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 | $105,127 |
| Engineer ... Level Principal Engineer | $133,057 |
| Principal... Level Principal Engineer | $153,632 |
| Engineer ... Level Principal Engineer | $177,571 |
| Engineeri... Level Principal Engineer | $81,591 |
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 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 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 | $184,971 | $89.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $184,971 | $89.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $184,971 | $89.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $184,971 | $89.0 | 20% |
| Construction | $184,971 | $89.0 | 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $161,090 | $13,424 | $3,098 | $77 |
| Average | $154,143 | $12,845 | $2,964 | $74 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,208 | $12,184 | $2,812 | $70 |
Ready 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.
Attalon, Inc.
Dayton, OH
Attalon, Inc. | Dayton, OH
Job Description. Job Description. Attalon. is a leading technology partner to the global aerospace and defense industry, specializing in the physics of lig... more
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Dayton, OH
STR | Dayton, OH
Job Description. Job Description. STR is focused on delivering National Defense capabilities by driving mission-focused strategies to develop advanced tech... more
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Columbus, OH
Hazen and Sawyer | Columbus, OH
Job Description. Job Description. Join our Hazen team and make the world a better place providing exceptional client service in. all things water. ® and su... more
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Toole Design
Columbus, OH
Toole Design | Columbus, OH
Job Description. Job Description. At Toole Design, we're leading the way in creating safer, more connected communities through sustainable multimodal trans... more
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Honda Dev. and Mfg. of Am.,LLC
Raymond, OH
Honda Dev. and Mfg. of Am.,LLC | Raymond, OH
What Makes a Honda, is Who makes a HondaHonda has a clear vision for the future, and it's a joyful one. We are looking for individuals with the skills, cou... more
6 Days Ago
Arrow Gaming International
Brunswick, OH
Arrow Gaming International | Brunswick, OH
Job Description. Job Description. Design what doesn’t exist yet. At Arrow International, we build machines you can’t buy off the shelf. As our Principal Ma... more
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