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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Engineering Manager in South Carolina is $168,423 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $81.
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 | $182,952 | $15,246 | $3,518 | $88 |
| Average | $168,423 | $14,035 | $3,239 | $81 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,680 | $12,223 | $2,821 | $71 |
NexonIT LLC - Columbia, SC
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (MACST) - Columbia, SC
McCall-Thomas Engineering - Columbia, SC
QuEST Global - Greenville, SC
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 | $157,551 |
| Intermediate Level Principal Engineering Manager | $159,363 |
| Senior Level Principal Engineering Manager | $162,383 |
| Specialist Level Principal Engineering Manager | $165,403 |
| Expert Level Principal Engineering Manager | $170,381 |
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 | $202,108 | $97.0 | 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 | $182,952 | $15,246 | $3,518 | $88 |
| Average | $168,423 | $14,035 | $3,239 | $81 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,680 | $12,223 | $2,821 | $71 |
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.
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