Principal Embedded Software Engineer Salary in California

How much does a Principal Embedded Software Engineer make in California?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer in California is $176,296 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $85.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $192,517
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $168,395 to $184,787
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $161,202
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View as table View as graph 25% $168,395 10% $161,202 90% $192,517 75% $184,787 $176,296 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 $184,787 $15,399 $3,554 $89
Average $176,296 $14,691 $3,390 $85
25th Percentile $168,395 $14,033 $3,238 $81
Check out Principal Embedded Software Engineer Job Openings in California
Embedded Software Engineer

Jobot - El Segundo, CA

Principal Software Engineer

eBay - San Jose, CA

Principal Sr Principal Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman - Los Angeles, CA

Principal Software Engineer

CDM Technology - San Diego, 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): $126,910
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $154,825
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $175,671
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $211,965
  • Expert (over 8 years): $134,204
Levels Salary
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$126,910
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$154,825
Principal... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$175,671
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$211,965
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$134,204
$126,910 0 yr
$154,825 < 2 yrs
$175,671 2-4 yrs
$211,965 5-8 yrs
$134,204 > 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:

  • Los Angeles: $176,599
  • West Hollywood: $176,472
  • Dodgertown: $176,598

Principal Embedded Software Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Principal Embedded Software Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 5% above the average. In contrast, Principal Embedded Software Engineer positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Embedded Software Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$185,111$89.05%
Business Services$185,111$89.05%
Construction$185,111$89.05%
Energy & Utilities$185,111$89.05%
Healthcare$185,111$89.05%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$168,395
Average $176,296/year
$184,787
$14,033
Average $14,691/month
$15,399
$3,238
Average $3,390/week
$3,554
$81
Average $85/hour
$89
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $184,787 $15,399 $3,554 $89
Average $176,296 $14,691 $3,390 $85
25th Percentile $168,395 $14,033 $3,238 $81

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