Principal Software Development Engineer Salary in Illinois

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

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Software Development Engineer in Illinois is $172,578 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $83.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $192,403
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $164,078 to $182,955
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $156,339
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View as table View as graph 25% $164,078 10% $156,339 90% $192,403 75% $182,955 $172,578 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 $182,955 $15,246 $3,518 $88
Average $172,578 $14,381 $3,319 $83
25th Percentile $164,078 $13,673 $3,155 $79
Check out Principal Software Development Engineer Job Openings in Illinois
Principal Software Engineer - Capital One Software (Remote)

Capital One Bank - Chicago, IL

Senior Principal Software Engineer - US Remote

Goldstone Partners, Inc. - Oak Brook, IL

Senior Principal Software Engineer - US Remote

Goldstone Partners, Inc. - Chicago, IL

Physical Therapist

Partners in Child Development - LAWRENCE, MA

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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): $129,188
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $149,471
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $171,815
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $170,168
  • Expert (over 8 years): $214,961
Levels Salary
Software ... Level Principal Software Development Engineer$129,188
Software ... Level Principal Software Development Engineer$149,471
Principal... Level Principal Software Development Engineer$171,815
Software ... Level Principal Software Development Engineer$170,168
Software ... Level Principal Software Development Engineer$214,961
$129,188 0 yr
$149,471 < 2 yrs
$171,815 2-4 yrs
$170,168 5-8 yrs
$214,961 > 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:

  • Effingham: $151,685
  • Saint Peter: $158,305
  • Salem: $162,233

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 April 01, 2026
$164,078
Average $172,578/year
$182,955
$13,673
Average $14,381/month
$15,246
$3,155
Average $3,319/week
$3,518
$79
Average $83/hour
$88
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $182,955 $15,246 $3,518 $88
Average $172,578 $14,381 $3,319 $83
25th Percentile $164,078 $13,673 $3,155 $79

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Cost of Living In Illinois

Cost of Living in Illinois is
1.9% Higher
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