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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Systems Engineer in Maine is $162,313 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.
However, a Principal Systems Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Principal Systems Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $170,109 | $14,176 | $3,271 | $82 |
| Average | $162,313 | $13,526 | $3,121 | $78 |
| 25th Percentile | $149,979 | $12,498 | $2,884 | $72 |
Hazen and Sawyer - Portland, ME
AT Process Technologies - Berwick, ME
Hazen and Sawyer - Portland, ME
Citrix Systems - Portland, ME
A Principal Systems 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 Systems 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 |
|---|---|
| Software ... Level Principal Systems Engineer | $115,327 |
| Software ... Level Principal Systems Engineer | $141,164 |
| Principal... Level Principal Systems Engineer | $161,740 |
| Software ... Level Principal Systems Engineer | $136,287 |
| Software ... Level Principal Systems Engineer | $147,652 |
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 Systems 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 Systems Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Principal Systems Engineer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Systems Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $202,891 | $98.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $194,776 | $94.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $194,776 | $94.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $186,660 | $90.0 | 15% |
| Telecom | $181,791 | $87.0 | 12% |
Understanding how a Principal Systems 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 | $170,109 | $14,176 | $3,271 | $82 |
| Average | $162,313 | $13,526 | $3,121 | $78 |
| 25th Percentile | $149,979 | $12,498 | $2,884 | $72 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Systems Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Princeton University
PRINCETON, NJ
Princeton University | PRINCETON, NJ
Overview The Lead Systems Engineer for High Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) works as part of the Advanced Systems team within ... more
21 Days Ago
Xcel Energy
DENVER, CO
Xcel Energy | DENVER, CO
Denver, Colorado, 80202, United States of America Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55401 Amarillo, Texas, 79101 Are you looking for an exciting job where you can pu... more
3 Days Ago
Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc.
HERNDON, VA
Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc. | HERNDON, VA
Would you like to help implement innovative cloud computing solutions and solve the world's most complex technical problems. Do you have a deep passion and... more
4 Days Ago
Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc.
TIMES SQUARE, WA
Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc. | TIMES SQUARE, WA
ADC2S is seeking a talented DevOps/Systems Development Engineer to own automating operational and business practices. You should be a self-starter with a b... more
4 Days Ago
Amazon Web Services, Inc.
STATE FARM, VA
Amazon Web Services, Inc. | STATE FARM, VA
Do you enjoy helping U.S. Intelligence Community and Defense agencies implement innovative cloud computing solutions and solve unique technical problems. W... more
4 Days Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Systems Engineer II-III Location: NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States ... more
5 Days Ago
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