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Senior Principal Systems Engineer Salary in North Carolina

How much does a Senior Principal Systems Engineer make in North Carolina?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Principal Systems Engineer in North Carolina is $156,469 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.

However, a Senior Principal Systems Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $170,624
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $142,959 to $163,878
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $130,660
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View as table View as graph 25% $142,959 10% $130,660 90% $170,624 75% $163,878 $156,469 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Principal Systems Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $163,878 $13,657 $3,152 $79
Average $156,469 $13,039 $3,009 $75
25th Percentile $142,959 $11,913 $2,749 $69
Check out Senior Principal Systems Engineer Job Openings in North Carolina
Principal Systems Engineer

Top Dog Engineers - Greensboro, NC

Principal Thermal Systems Engineer Data Center Liquid Cooling

Axiom Path - Davidson, NC

Senior Principal Engineer

Hazen and Sawyer - Winston-Salem, NC

Senior Principal Engineer

Hazen and Sawyer - Greensboro, NC

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Key Factors That Influence Senior Principal Systems Engineer Salaries

A Senior 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.

How Experience Level Affects Senior Principal Systems Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $112,237
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $137,382
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $157,407
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $132,636
  • Expert (over 8 years): $143,697
Levels Salary
Software ... Level Senior Principal Systems Engineer$112,237
Software ... Level Senior Principal Systems Engineer$137,382
Senior Pr... Level Senior Principal Systems Engineer$157,407
Software ... Level Senior Principal Systems Engineer$132,636
Software ... Level Senior Principal Systems Engineer$143,697
$112,237 0 yr
$137,382 < 2 yrs
$157,407 2-4 yrs
$132,636 5-8 yrs
$143,697 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Senior Principal Systems Engineers

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:

  • Morven: $149,283
  • Mount Holly: $158,361
  • Mount Mourne: $156,116

Senior Principal Systems Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Senior 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, Senior Principal Systems Engineer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Principal Systems Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Senior Principal Systems Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$195,586$94.025%
Internet$187,763$90.020%
Software & Networking$187,763$90.020%
Pharmaceuticals$179,939$87.015%
Telecom$175,245$84.012%

Senior Principal Systems Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$142,959
Average $156,469/year
$163,878
$11,913
Average $13,039/month
$13,657
$2,749
Average $3,009/week
$3,152
$69
Average $75/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $163,878 $13,657 $3,152 $79
Average $156,469 $13,039 $3,009 $75
25th Percentile $142,959 $11,913 $2,749 $69

Salaries of jobs related to Senior Principal Systems Engineer

Find Your Next Senior Principal Systems Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Principal Systems Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

  • Hazen and Sawyer

    Raleigh, NC

    Senior Principal Engineer

    Hazen and Sawyer | Raleigh, NC

    Job Description. Job Description. Seeking Professional Licensed Engineer with 5 – 15 years of experience in the water industry. Background and experience i... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Hazen and Sawyer

    Charlotte, NC

    Senior Principal Engineer

    Hazen and Sawyer | Charlotte, NC

    Job Description. Job Description. Seeking Professional Licensed Engineer with 5 – 15 years of experience in the water industry. Background and experience i... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Vision Square Inc

    Charlotte, NC

    Senior Payment Systems Engineer

    Vision Square Inc | Charlotte, NC

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Details. Role. Senior Payment Systems Engineer (ACI MTS/UPF). Location. Charlotte, NC (Onsite). Duration. Long-Term C... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Ethic Tech, LLC

    Fulcher Landing, NC

    Senior AV Systems Engineer

    Ethic Tech, LLC | Fulcher Landing, NC

    Job Description. Job Description. Position SummaryEthic Tech is seeking a Senior AV Systems Engineer to design, renovate, and remodel complex AV systems ta... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Bertrandt

    Charlotte, NC

    Senior Automotive Systems Engineer

    Bertrandt | Charlotte, NC

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Ready to Drive the Future. As part of the global Bertrandt Group, our team of innovators tackles cutting-edg... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Dell Careers

    Durham, NC

    Senior Systems Engineer

    Dell Careers | Durham, NC

    Senior Systems Engineer, Data ManagementOur field sales professionals rely on proactive technical support during the sales process - and our expert Systems... more

    6 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In North Carolina

Cost of Living in North Carolina is
-5.0% Lower
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

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