Principal Embedded Software Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Principal Embedded Software Engineer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer in the United States is $159,882 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $77.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $174,801
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $152,722 to $167,691
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $146,203
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View as table View as graph 25% $152,722 10% $146,203 90% $174,801 75% $167,691 $159,882 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Principal Embedded Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $167,691 $13,974 $3,225 $81
Average $159,882 $13,324 $3,075 $77
25th Percentile $152,722 $12,727 $2,937 $73
Check out Principal Embedded Software Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Senior Embedded Software Engineer II Principal

ANISTAR Technologies - TUCSON, AZ

Embedded Software Engineer

Moseley Technical Services, Inc. - DEDHAM, MA

Embedded Software Engineer

Butler Aerospace & Defense - SAND LAKE, FL

Embedded Software Engineer

PlanIT Group LLC - SUNNYVALE, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Principal Embedded Software Engineer Salaries

A Principal Embedded Software 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 Principal Embedded Software Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Principal Embedded Software 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): $156,393
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $156,933
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $157,149
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $158,229
  • Expert (over 8 years): $159,092
Levels Salary
Entry Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$156,393
Intermediate Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$156,933
Senior Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$157,149
Specialist Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$158,229
Expert Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$159,092
$156,393 0 yr
$156,933 < 2 yrs
$157,149 2-4 yrs
$158,229 5-8 yrs
$159,092 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Principal Embedded Software 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:

  • San Jose: $201,659
  • San Francisco: $199,677
  • Oakland: $195,248

What Skills Can Increase a Principal Embedded Software Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.75% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Engineering (Mentioned in 4% Job Postings): Computer engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that integrates several fields of computer science and electronic engineering required to develop computer hardware and software.
  • Algorithms (Mentioned in 2.54% Job Postings): Algorithms act as an exact list of instructions that conduct specified actions step by step in either hardware- or software-based routines.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.75%
Computer Engineering 4%
Algorithms 2.54%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Principal Embedded Software Engineer's salary.
  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Machine Learning
 $179,068
12%
Verbal Communication
 $174,271
9%
Scheduling
 $172,673
8%
Debugging
 $169,475
6%
Git
 $167,876
5%
Continuous Learning
 $167,876
5%
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Principal Embedded Software Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Principal Embedded Software 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$152,722
Average $159,882/year
$167,691
$12,727
Average $13,324/month
$13,974
$2,937
Average $3,075/week
$3,225
$73
Average $77/hour
$81
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $167,691 $13,974 $3,225 $81
Average $159,882 $13,324 $3,075 $77
25th Percentile $152,722 $12,727 $2,937 $73

Salaries of jobs related to Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Salary Trends for Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Salaries for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $157,824 in 2023 to around $151,524 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Principal Embedded Software Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Principal Embedded Software Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$157,824
2024
$155,755
2025
$151,524
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $157,824
2024 $155,755
2025 $151,524
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for Principal Embedded Software Engineer

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

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