What are the main factors that influence a Principal Software Development Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change a Principal Software Development Engineer's salary?

A Principal Software Development Engineer's salary grows with experience: starting around $182,933 for beginners, reaching about $183,892 at mid-level, and approach $190,298 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Principal Software Development Engineer?

Principal Software Development Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Principal Software Development Engineer roles are District of Columbia $187,466, California $186,754, Massachusetts $184,266. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Principal Software Development Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Principal Software Development Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Principal Software Engineer, Front End: $172,685; Senior Principal Software Engineer: $172,327; Principal Embedded Software Engineer: $159,882; Senior Software Development Engineer: $153,198; Embedded Software Development Engineer: $132,717.

Principal Software Development Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Principal Software Development Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Software Development Engineer in District of Columbia is $187,466 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $90.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $209,105
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $178,274 to $198,792
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $169,905

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Principal Software Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$198,792	$16,566	$3,823	$96
Average	$187,466	$15,622	$3,605	$90
25th Percentile	$178,274	$14,856	$3,428	$86

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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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): $182,933
Early Career (1-2 years): $183,618
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $183,892
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $185,263
Expert (over 8 years): $190,298

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Principal Software Development Engineer	$182,933
Intermediate Level Principal Software Development Engineer	$183,618
Senior Level Principal Software Development Engineer	$183,892
Specialist Level Principal Software Development Engineer	$185,263
Expert Level Principal Software Development Engineer	$190,298

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Principal Software Development Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Software Development Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $187,466.
California: $186,754.
Massachusetts: $184,266.

District of Columbia $187,466 California $186,754 Massachusetts $184,266 Washington $183,588 New Jersey $183,521 Alaska $183,283 Connecticut $180,947 New York $179,999

Hawaii $176,968 Rhode Island $175,546 Maryland $174,581 Minnesota $173,260 Colorado $172,752 Illinois $172,583 Oregon $171,939 Delaware $171,465

New Hampshire $171,167 Virginia $170,500 Pennsylvania $168,553 Nevada $167,571 North Dakota $167,249 Michigan $166,741 Wisconsin $166,555 Vermont $166,183

Texas $165,150 Maine $165,082 Arizona $164,981 Ohio $164,862 Georgia $163,304 Indiana $162,525 Wyoming $162,373 Utah $162,136

Iowa $162,034 Kansas $161,222 Louisiana $160,985 North Carolina $160,900 Missouri $160,866 Florida $160,206 Montana $159,850 Nebraska $159,512

Kentucky $159,325 South Carolina $158,648 Tennessee $158,225 Idaho $158,056 New Mexico $156,820 Oklahoma $156,549 Alabama $155,550 South Dakota $153,873

Arkansas $152,959 West Virginia $152,468 Mississippi $150,995

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:

Parcel Return Service: $187,466
Washington: $187,466
Naval Anacost Annex: $187,466

Parcel Return Service, DC $187,466 Washington, DC $187,466 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $187,466 Washington Navy Yard, DC $187,466

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.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

$178,274

Average $187,466/year

$198,792

$14,856

Average $15,622/month

$16,566

$3,428

Average $3,605/week

$3,823

$86

Average $90/hour

$96

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$198,792	$16,566	$3,823	$96
Average	$187,466	$15,622	$3,605	$90
25th Percentile	$178,274	$14,856	$3,428	$86

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