Principal Embedded Software Engineer Salary in California

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

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer in California is $176,306 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): $192,403
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $168,410 to $184,732
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $161,222
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $168,410 10% $161,222 90% $192,403 75% $184,732 $176,306 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 $184,732 $15,394 $3,553 $89
Average $176,306 $14,692 $3,390 $85
25th Percentile $168,410 $14,034 $3,239 $81
Check out Principal Embedded Software Engineer Job Openings in California
Embedded Software Engineer

Global Connect Technologies - Palo Alto, CA

Principal Sr Principal Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman - Los Angeles, CA

Senior Principal Software Engineer with Test Equipment

Raytheon - San Diego County, CA

Senior Principal Software Engineer with Test Equipment

Raytheon - Los Angeles, 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): $154,822
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $175,686
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $211,971
  • Expert (over 8 years): $134,252
Levels Salary
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$126,910
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$154,822
Principal... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$175,686
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$211,971
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$134,252
$126,910 0 yr
$154,822 < 2 yrs
$175,686 2-4 yrs
$211,971 5-8 yrs
$134,252 > 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: $176,609
  • West Hollywood: $176,482
  • Dodgertown: $176,608

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 May 01, 2026
$168,410
Average $176,306/year
$184,732
$14,034
Average $14,692/month
$15,394
$3,239
Average $3,390/week
$3,553
$81
Average $85/hour
$89
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $184,732 $15,394 $3,553 $89
Average $176,306 $14,692 $3,390 $85
25th Percentile $168,410 $14,034 $3,239 $81

Salaries of jobs related to Principal Embedded Software Engineer

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