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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Engineer in Virginia is $159,414 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $77.
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 | $166,599 | $13,883 | $3,204 | $80 |
| Average | $159,414 | $13,285 | $3,066 | $77 |
| 25th Percentile | $151,208 | $12,601 | $2,908 | $73 |
Raft Company Website - McLean, VA
Stratus Team LLC - Richmond, VA
Hazen and Sawyer - Roanoke, VA
Hazen and Sawyer - Fairfax, VA
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 | $108,722 |
| Engineer ... Level Principal Engineer | $137,608 |
| Principal... Level Principal Engineer | $158,886 |
| Engineer ... Level Principal Engineer | $183,643 |
| Engineeri... Level Principal Engineer | $84,381 |
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 | $191,297 | $92.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $191,297 | $92.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $191,297 | $92.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $191,297 | $92.0 | 20% |
| Construction | $191,297 | $92.0 | 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 | $166,599 | $13,883 | $3,204 | $80 |
| Average | $159,414 | $13,285 | $3,066 | $77 |
| 25th Percentile | $151,208 | $12,601 | $2,908 | $73 |
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.
Basic Commerce & Industries Inc
King George, VA
Basic Commerce & Industries Inc | King George, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Basic Commerce and Industries, Inc. (BCI) is seeking to fill Principal Engineer positions in support of the Naval Surface... more
6 Days Ago
Basic Commerce & Industries Inc
King George, VA
Basic Commerce & Industries Inc | King George, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Basic Commerce and Industries, Inc. (BCI) is seeking to fill one (1) Principal Engineer to provide Operations expertise i... more
5 Days Ago
Hazen and Sawyer
Virginia Beach, VA
Hazen and Sawyer | Virginia Beach, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Hazen and Sawyer is seeking a Wastewater Project Engineer for our Virginia Beach office. As part of our design and proces... more
6 Days Ago
Hazen and Sawyer
Fairfax, VA
Hazen and Sawyer | Fairfax, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Hazen is seeking a qualified and experienced Principal Engineer/Sr. Principal Engineer for our Fairfax, VA office. Why Ha... more
2 Days Ago
Electra
Manassas, VA
Electra | Manassas, VA
Job Description. Job Description. About Electra. At Electra, we're building the EL9 — a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands i... more
2 Days Ago
Hazen and Sawyer
Richmond, VA
Hazen and Sawyer | Richmond, VA
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
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