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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Application Engineer in Virginia is $117,427 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.
However, a Principal Application Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Principal Application Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $124,345 | $10,362 | $2,391 | $60 |
| Average | $117,427 | $9,786 | $2,258 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,604 | $9,217 | $2,127 | $53 |
Raft Company Website - McLean, VA
Stratus Team LLC - Richmond, VA
Hazen and Sawyer - Roanoke, VA
Hazen and Sawyer - Fairfax, VA
A Principal Application 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 Application 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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Principal Application Engineer | $115,816 |
| Intermediate Level Principal Application Engineer | $116,290 |
| Senior Level Principal Application Engineer | $116,953 |
| Specialist Level Principal Application Engineer | $118,123 |
| Expert Level Principal Application Engineer | $120,345 |
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 Application 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 Application Engineer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, Principal Application Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Principal Application Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $135,041 | $65.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Principal Application 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 | $124,345 | $10,362 | $2,391 | $60 |
| Average | $117,427 | $9,786 | $2,258 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,604 | $9,217 | $2,127 | $53 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Application Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Basic Commerce & Industries Inc
King George, VA
Basic Commerce & Industries Inc | King George, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Basic Commerce and Industries, Inc. (BCI) is seeking to fill Principal Engineer positions in support of the Naval Surface... more
6 Days Ago
Basic Commerce & Industries Inc
King George, VA
Basic Commerce & Industries Inc | King George, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Basic Commerce and Industries, Inc. (BCI) is seeking to fill one (1) Principal Engineer to provide Operations expertise i... more
5 Days Ago
Hazen and Sawyer
Virginia Beach, VA
Hazen and Sawyer | Virginia Beach, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Hazen and Sawyer is seeking a Wastewater Project Engineer for our Virginia Beach office. As part of our design and proces... more
6 Days Ago
Hazen and Sawyer
Fairfax, VA
Hazen and Sawyer | Fairfax, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Hazen is seeking a qualified and experienced Principal Engineer/Sr. Principal Engineer for our Fairfax, VA office. Why Ha... more
2 Days Ago
Authentechit Llc
Chantilly, VA
Authentechit Llc | Chantilly, VA
Job Description. Job Description. 6-12 Month Contract Opportunity. 100% remote for the time being. Post Covid may require some time in the office, but tha... more
2 Days Ago
TekSynap
Fairfax, VA
TekSynap | Fairfax, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Overview. WORK ENVIRONMENT. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee e... more
5 Days Ago
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