Principal Software Development Engineer Salary in Arizona

How much does a Principal Software Development Engineer make in Arizona?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Software Development Engineer in Arizona is $164,981 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

However, a Principal Software Development Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $184,024
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $156,891 to $174,949
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $149,526
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $156,891 10% $149,526 90% $184,024 75% $174,949 $164,981 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Principal Software Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $174,949 $14,579 $3,364 $84
Average $164,981 $13,748 $3,173 $79
25th Percentile $156,891 $13,074 $3,017 $75
Check out Principal Software Development Engineer Job Openings in Arizona
Senior Embedded Software Engineer II/Principal with Security Clearance

ANISTAR Technologies - Tucson, AZ

Principal Engineer Embedded Software with Security Clearance

Northrop Grumman - Mesa, AZ

Senior Principal Software Engineer with Security Clearance

RTX - Tucson, AZ

Software Application Development Engineer - Middleware with Security Clearance

Intel Federal - Phoenix, AZ

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Key Factors That Influence Principal Software Development Engineer Salaries

A Principal Software Development 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.

How Experience Level Affects Principal Software Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Principal Software Development 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $160,992
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $161,595
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $161,836
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $163,042
  • Expert (over 8 years): $167,473
Levels Salary
Entry Level Principal Software Development Engineer$160,992
Intermediate Level Principal Software Development Engineer$161,595
Senior Level Principal Software Development Engineer$161,836
Specialist Level Principal Software Development Engineer$163,042
Expert Level Principal Software Development Engineer$167,473
$160,992 0 yr
$161,595 < 2 yrs
$161,836 2-4 yrs
$163,042 5-8 yrs
$167,473 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Principal Software Development Engineers

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:

  • Sahuarita: $159,258
  • Saint David: $158,919
  • San Manuel: $158,919

Principal Software Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Principal Software Development 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$156,891
Average $164,981/year
$174,949
$13,074
Average $13,748/month
$14,579
$3,017
Average $3,173/week
$3,364
$75
Average $79/hour
$84
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $174,949 $14,579 $3,364 $84
Average $164,981 $13,748 $3,173 $79
25th Percentile $156,891 $13,074 $3,017 $75

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Cost of Living In Arizona

Cost of Living in Arizona is
-2.6% Lower
than the National Average

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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