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 $171,301 for beginners, reaching about $172,200 at mid-level, and approach $178,198 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 Rhode Island

How much does a Principal Software Development Engineer make in Rhode Island?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Software Development Engineer in Rhode Island is $175,546 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $195,809
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $166,938 to $186,152
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $159,102

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Principal Software Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$186,152	$15,513	$3,580	$89
Average	$175,546	$14,629	$3,376	$84
25th Percentile	$166,938	$13,912	$3,210	$80

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): $171,301
Early Career (1-2 years): $171,943
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $172,200
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $173,483
Expert (over 8 years): $178,198

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Principal Software Development Engineer	$171,301
Intermediate Level Principal Software Development Engineer	$171,943
Senior Level Principal Software Development Engineer	$172,200
Specialist Level Principal Software Development Engineer	$173,483
Expert Level Principal Software Development Engineer	$178,198

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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:

Adamsville: $178,424
Albion: $175,461
Ashaway: $179,101

Adamsville, RI $178,424 Albion, RI $175,461 Ashaway, RI $179,101 Barrington, RI $175,461 Block Island, RI $178,170 Bradford, RI $178,983 Bristol, RI $175,292 Carolina, RI $177,527

Charlestown, RI $177,713 Chepachet, RI $175,123 Clayville, RI $175,292 Coventry, RI $175,123 West Greenwich, RI $175,004 East Greenwich, RI $175,241 Exeter, RI $178,983 Fiskeville, RI $175,461

Forestdale, RI $175,292 Foster, RI $175,004 Glendale, RI $175,004 Greene, RI $176,968 Greenville, RI $175,461 Harmony, RI $175,410 Harrisville, RI $175,123 Hope, RI $175,461

Hope Valley, RI $179,101 Hopkinton, RI $179,152 Jamestown, RI $177,357 Kenyon, RI $178,932 Little Compton, RI $178,356 Manville, RI $175,461 Mapleville, RI $175,004 Newport, RI $177,391

Middletown, RI $178,136 North Kingstown, RI $174,953 North Scituate, RI $175,410 Oakland, RI $175,173 Pascoag, RI $175,072 Pawtucket, RI $175,461 Central Falls, RI $175,461 Cumberland, RI $175,461

Lincoln, RI $175,461 Portsmouth, RI $176,680 Prudence Island, RI $175,123 Rockville, RI $179,152 Saunderstown, RI $177,459 Shannock, RI $178,881 Slatersville, RI $175,292 Slocum, RI $177,459

Tiverton, RI $178,475 Wakefield, RI $177,273 Kingston, RI $177,307 Narragansett, RI $177,341 Peace Dale, RI $177,273 Warren, RI $175,410 Warwick, RI $175,461 Westerly, RI $179,203

West Kingston, RI $177,408 West Warwick, RI $175,461 Wood River Junction, RI $178,983 Woonsocket, RI $175,292 North Smithfield, RI $175,410 Wyoming, RI $178,932 Providence, RI $175,461 Cranston, RI $175,461

North Providence, RI $175,461 East Providence, RI $175,461 Riverside, RI $175,461 Rumford, RI $175,461 Smithfield, RI $175,461 Johnston, RI $175,461

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

$166,938

Average $175,546/year

$186,152

$13,912

Average $14,629/month

$15,513

$3,210

Average $3,376/week

$3,580

$80

Average $84/hour

$89

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$186,152	$15,513	$3,580	$89
Average	$175,546	$14,629	$3,376	$84
25th Percentile	$166,938	$13,912	$3,210	$80

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