As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Principal Software Engineer in Charleston, WV is $118,663, equivalent to $57 per hour, $2,282 weekly, or $9,889 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 Charleston, WV vary widely, spanning from $100,514 to $137,946. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($109,163) and 75th percentile ($128,757), while top earners (90th percentile) make $137,946 per year. This $19,594 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, Charleston Principal Software Engineer often earn 0.3% lower than national averages. However, Charleston currently ranks 745 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 $100,514 Charleston, WV May 01, 2026
25th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $109,163 Charleston, WV May 01, 2026
50th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $118,663 Charleston, WV May 01, 2026
75th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $128,757 Charleston, WV May 01, 2026
90th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $137,946 Charleston, WV May 01, 2026
25% $109,163 10% $100,514 90% $137,946 75% $128,757 $118,663 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Check out Principal Software Engineer jobs in Charleston, West Virginia

Software Engineer

22nd Century Technologies Inc. - Clarksburg, WV

C++ Software Engineer - Ai Training

YO IT CONSULTING - United, WV

Senior Software Engineer - Radio Astronomy Systems (Remote)

National Radio Astronomy Observatory - Charleston, WV

Principal, Systems Engineer (R-18971)

Dun & Bradstreet - United, WV

Search More Principal Software Engineer Jobs in Charleston, West Virginia

Principal Software Engineer

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Job Openings for Principal Software Engineer in Charleston, WV

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

 
 
 
109163
128757
118663

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
119456
146540
132340
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 Charleston, WV. The base salary for Principal Software Engineer ranges from $109,163 to $128,757 with the average base salary of $118,663. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $119,456 to $146,540 with the average total cash compensation of $132,340.

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109163
128757

 

About Charleston, West Virginia    Charleston is the most populous city in, and the capital of, the U.S. state of West Virginia. Located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers,....More

Charleston, West Virginia  area prices were up 1.2% from a year ago

Principal Software Engineer Salary in popular cities: HuntingtonParkersburgMorgantown

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