As of June 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Principal Software Engineer in Aurora, CO is $134,761, equivalent to $65 per hour, $2,592 weekly, or $11,230 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Principal Software Engineer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Principal Software Engineer in Aurora, CO vary widely, spanning from $114,177 to $156,664. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($123,987) and 75th percentile ($146,226), while top earners (90th percentile) make $156,664 per year. This $22,239 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Software Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Aurora Principal Software Engineer often earn 0.1% higher than national averages. However, Aurora currently ranks 277 statewide for Principal Software Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Principal Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $114,177 Aurora, CO June 01, 2026
25th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $123,987 Aurora, CO June 01, 2026
50th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $134,761 Aurora, CO June 01, 2026
75th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $146,226 Aurora, CO June 01, 2026
90th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $156,664 Aurora, CO June 01, 2026
25% $123,987 10% $114,177 90% $156,664 75% $146,226 $134,761 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Principal Software Engineer

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Job Openings for Principal Software Engineer in Aurora, CO

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Software Engineer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    Principal Software Engineer

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Software Engineer IV

    7 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Principal Software Engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
123987
146226
134761

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
136012
166850
150681
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Principal Software Engineer in Aurora, CO. The base salary for Principal Software Engineer ranges from $123,987 to $146,226 with the average base salary of $134,761. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $136,012 to $166,850 with the average total cash compensation of $150,681.

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123987
146226

 

About Aurora, Colorado    Aurora (/əˈroʊrə/, /əˈrɔːrə/) is a Home Rule Municipality in the U.S. state of Colorado, spanning Arapahoe and Adams counties, with the extreme southe....More

Aurora, Colorado  area prices were up 0.4% from a year ago

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