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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Engineering Manager in Colorado is $183,396 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $88.
However, a Principal Engineering Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Principal Engineering Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $199,217 | $16,601 | $3,831 | $96 |
| Average | $183,396 | $15,283 | $3,527 | $88 |
| 25th Percentile | $159,720 | $13,310 | $3,072 | $77 |
Harvest Midstream Company - Durango, CO
Setpoint Systems Corporation - Littleton, CO
Attalon, Inc. - Longmont, CO
Madeline Hotel and Residences - Telluride, CO
A Principal Engineering 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Principal Engineering 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Principal Engineering Manager | $171,558 |
| Intermediate Level Principal Engineering Manager | $173,530 |
| Senior Level Principal Engineering Manager | $176,819 |
| Specialist Level Principal Engineering Manager | $180,107 |
| Expert Level Principal Engineering Manager | $185,528 |
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 Engineering Managers. 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 Engineering Manager roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Principal Engineering Manager positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Principal Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $220,075 | $106.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Principal Engineering 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $199,217 | $16,601 | $3,831 | $96 |
| Average | $183,396 | $15,283 | $3,527 | $88 |
| 25th Percentile | $159,720 | $13,310 | $3,072 | $77 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Engineering Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Gulftech Group
Englewood, CO
Gulftech Group | Englewood, CO
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Engineering Manager. Department. Engineering. Reports To. Director of Engineering. FLSA. Exempt. Status. Full-... more
6 Days Ago
EverDriven
Greenwood Village, CO
EverDriven | Greenwood Village, CO
Job Description. Job Description. EverDriven is the nation's leading provider of alternative student transportation, partnering with school districts to se... more
7 Days Ago
EverDriven
Denver, CO
EverDriven | Denver, CO
Job Description. Job Description. EverDriven is the nation's leading provider of alternative student transportation, partnering with school districts to se... more
7 Days Ago
Caribou Financial
Denver, CO
Caribou Financial | Denver, CO
Job Description. Job Description. About Caribou. At Caribou, we care about giving people financial freedom so they can focus on what's most important to th... more
7 Days Ago
CesiumAstro
Westminster, CO
CesiumAstro | Westminster, CO
Job Description. Job Description. Please Note. To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.... more
7 Days Ago
Kratos Industries LLC
Arvada, CO
Kratos Industries LLC | Arvada, CO
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Salary Range. $140,000.00 - $160,000.00. Hours. 7:30 - 4:30 M - F. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Responsible fo... more
4 Days Ago
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