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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Engineer in South Carolina is $148,333 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.
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 | $155,018 | $12,918 | $2,981 | $75 |
| Average | $148,333 | $12,361 | $2,853 | $71 |
| 25th Percentile | $140,697 | $11,725 | $2,706 | $68 |
Hazen and Sawyer - North Charleston, SC
Hazen and Sawyer - North Charleston, SC
Boeing - Pinehaven, SC
Hazen and Sawyer - Greenville, SC
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 | $101,165 |
| Engineer ... Level Principal Engineer | $128,042 |
| Principal... Level Principal Engineer | $147,841 |
| Engineer ... Level Principal Engineer | $170,878 |
| Engineeri... Level Principal Engineer | $78,515 |
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 | $177,999 | $86.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $177,999 | $86.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $177,999 | $86.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $177,999 | $86.0 | 20% |
| Construction | $177,999 | $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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $155,018 | $12,918 | $2,981 | $75 |
| Average | $148,333 | $12,361 | $2,853 | $71 |
| 25th Percentile | $140,697 | $11,725 | $2,706 | $68 |
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.
Hazen and Sawyer
Columbia, SC
Hazen and Sawyer | Columbia, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Seeking Professional Licensed Engineer with 5 – 15 years of experience in the water industry. Background and experience i... more
3 Days Ago
Dodge Industrial, Inc.
Simpsonville, SC
Dodge Industrial, Inc. | Simpsonville, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Principal R&D Project Engineer. Location. Simpsonville, SC. Reports To. R&D Engineering Manager. Employment Ty... more
4 Days Ago
Hunter Healthcare
Greenville, SC
Hunter Healthcare | Greenville, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Principal Aseptic Equipment & Process Engineer. Greenville, South Carolina. $120,000-$150,000 + 15% bonus, healthcare ben... more
6 Days Ago
iParametrics LLC
Greenville, SC
iParametrics LLC | Greenville, SC
Job Description. Job Description. ABOUT THE ROLE. We are seeking a HVAC Design Engineer (Principal) to join our team supporting Fluor on their Savannah Riv... more
6 Days Ago
Confidential
BOSTON, MA
Confidential | BOSTON, MA
Senior Vice President, Principal Full Stack Engineer, Performance Product Engineering. About the Company. Internationally recognized investment services fi... more
15 Days Ago
Constellation Energy
MC KNIGHT, PA
Constellation Energy | MC KNIGHT, PA
Constellation, a leading energy provider of power, natural gas, renewable energy solutions, and energy management for various sectors across the U.S., is s... more
2 Days Ago
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