Principal Engineer Salary in San Diego, California

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How much does a Principal Engineer make in San Diego, CA? The average Principal Engineer salary in San Diego, CA is $182,785 as of April 01, 2025, but the salary range typically falls between $166,955 and $199,921. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target. 

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25% $166,955 10% $152,543 90% $215,522 75% $199,921 $182,785 50%(Median)
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Principal Engineer

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Job Openings for Principal Engineer in San Diego, CA
Ping Engineer, Principal Associate
Capital One - MCLEAN , VA
Ping Engineer, Principal Associate. Do you want to work for a tech company that writes its own code, develops its own software, and builds its own products. We
- 1 day ago
Ping Engineer, Principal Associate
Capital One - RICHMOND , VA
Ping Engineer, Principal Associate. Do you want to work for a tech company that writes its own code, develops its own software, and builds its own products. We
- 1 day ago
Principal Associate, Ping Engineer
Capital One - MCLEAN , VA
Principal Associate, Ping Engineer. Job Description. Do you want to work for a tech company that writes its own code, develops its own software, and builds its
- 1 day ago
Principal Associate, Ping Engineer
Capital One - RICHMOND , VA
Principal Associate, Ping Engineer. Job Description. Do you want to work for a tech company that writes its own code, develops its own software, and builds its
- 1 day ago
Thermal Senior Principal Engineer
Dell - HOPKINTON , MA
Thermal Senior Principal Engineer. Thermal Engineering leads and delivers the development of innovative and compliant thermal design solutions, as well as cross
- 1 day ago
Electrical Senior Principal Engineer
Dell - HOPKINTON , MA
Electrical Senior Principal Engineer. Electrical Engineering leads and delivers the development of innovative and compliant electrical design solutions, as well
- 1 day ago

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Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Principal Engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
166955
199921
182785

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
178692
219381
197675
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Principal Engineer in San Diego, CA. The base salary for Principal Engineer ranges from $166,955 to $199,921 with the average base salary of $182,785. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $178,692 to $219,381 with the average total cash compensation of $197,675.

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166955
199921

 

About San Diego, California    According to SDSU professor emeritus Monte Marshall, San Diego Bay is "the surface expression of a north-south-trending, nested graben". The Rose Cany....More

San Diego, California  area prices were up 2.6% from a year ago

Principal Engineer Salary in popular cities: Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco

Skills associated with Principal Engineer: Design, 3Scale

Recently searched related titles: Engineering Team Lead, Managing Associate

Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role