Principal Technical Program Manager Salary in California

How much does a Principal Technical Program Manager make in California?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Technical Program Manager in California is $161,977 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.

However, a Principal Technical Program Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $199,024
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $147,682 to $181,368
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $134,667
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View as table View as graph 25% $147,682 10% $134,667 90% $199,024 75% $181,368 $161,977 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Principal Technical Program Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $181,368 $15,114 $3,488 $87
Average $161,977 $13,498 $3,115 $78
25th Percentile $147,682 $12,307 $2,840 $71
Check out Principal Technical Program Manager Job Openings in California
Technical Program Manager with Security Clearance

Oteemo Inc - San Diego, CA

Principal Program Cost Control Analyst with Security Clearance

Northrop Grumman - San Diego, CA

Senior Principal Program Cost Control Analyst with Security Clearance

Northrop Grumman - San Diego, CA

Staff Technical Program Manager - Hardware Development, Sentry P with Security Clearance

Anduril Industries - Irvine, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Principal Technical Program Manager Salaries

A Principal Technical Program Manager'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 Technical Program Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Principal Technical Program Manager'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): $155,276
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $155,909
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $156,964
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $158,441
  • Expert (over 8 years): $160,551
Levels Salary
Entry Level Principal Technical Program Manager$155,276
Intermediate Level Principal Technical Program Manager$155,909
Senior Level Principal Technical Program Manager$156,964
Specialist Level Principal Technical Program Manager$158,441
Expert Level Principal Technical Program Manager$160,551
$155,276 0 yr
$155,909 < 2 yrs
$156,964 2-4 yrs
$158,441 5-8 yrs
$160,551 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Principal Technical Program Managers

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:

  • Los Angeles: $162,667
  • West Hollywood: $162,667
  • Dodgertown: $162,667

Principal Technical Program Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Principal Technical Program Manager'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
$147,682
Average $161,977/year
$181,368
$12,307
Average $13,498/month
$15,114
$2,840
Average $3,115/week
$3,488
$71
Average $78/hour
$87
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $181,368 $15,114 $3,488 $87
Average $161,977 $13,498 $3,115 $78
25th Percentile $147,682 $12,307 $2,840 $71

Salaries of jobs related to Principal Technical Program Manager

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