Principal Embedded Software Engineer Salary in Sandy Spring, MD

How much does a Principal Embedded Software Engineer make in Sandy Spring, MD?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer in Sandy Spring, MD is $171,096 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $82.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $186,917
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $163,444 to $179,377
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $156,477
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View as table View as graph 25% $163,444 10% $156,477 90% $186,917 75% $179,377 $171,096 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 $179,377 $14,948 $3,450 $86
Average $171,096 $14,258 $3,290 $82
25th Percentile $163,444 $13,620 $3,143 $79
Check out Principal Embedded Software Engineer Job Openings in Sandy Spring, MD
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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, skills 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): $123,171
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $150,264
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $170,487
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $205,714
  • Expert (over 8 years): $130,191
Levels Salary
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$123,171
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$150,264
Principal... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$170,487
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$205,714
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$130,191
$123,171 0 yr
$150,264 < 2 yrs
$170,487 2-4 yrs
$205,714 5-8 yrs
$130,191 > 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: $201,591
  • San Francisco: $199,384
  • Oakland: $195,182

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
$191,627
12%
Verbal Communication
$186,495
9%
Scheduling
$184,784
8%
Debugging
$181,362
6%
Git
$179,651
5%
Continuous Learning
$179,651
5%
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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$179,651$86.05%
Business Services$179,651$86.05%
Construction$179,651$86.05%
Energy & Utilities$179,651$86.05%
Healthcare$179,651$86.05%

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Principal Embedded Software Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Embedded Software Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Brooke Grove Retirement Village

    Sandy Spring, MD

    Brooke Grove Retirement Village | Sandy Spring, MD

    Admissions CoordinatorFull Time Days Pay Rate up to $30/hour Our mission is to Touch People's Lives, and to us, it is more than a mission, it is a way of l... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Compass Group

    Sandy Spring, MD

    Compass Group | Sandy Spring, MD

    Catering AttendantWe are hiring immediately for an on-call Catering Attendant position.Location:Sandy Spring Friends School - 16923 Norwood Road, Sandy Spr... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Sandy Spring Friends School

    Sandy Spring, MD

    Sandy Spring Friends School | Sandy Spring, MD

    Sandy Spring Friends School seeks experienced drivers to operate a school bus transporting children in a safe and courteous manner to and from school, and ... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Brooke Grove Retirement Village

    Sandy Spring, MD

    Brooke Grove Retirement Village | Sandy Spring, MD

    Job Description. Job Description. CMA - Certified Medicine AidePRN | Days or EveningsPay: Up to $23.50/hr (based on experience)Brooke Grove Retirement Vill... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Brooke Grove Retirement Village

    Sandy Spring, MD

    Brooke Grove Retirement Village | Sandy Spring, MD

    Job Description. Job Description. Hiring Event at Brooke Grove Retirement VillageCNAs, GNAs, CMAs, Resident Services Associates, LPNs & RNsFull Time, Part ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Unidine

    Sandy Spring, MD

    Unidine | Sandy Spring, MD

    Job Description. Job Description. . Unidine is hiring immediately for a full time and part time. FOOD SERVICE WORKER. position. Location. Brooke Grove Reti... more

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Cost of Living In Sandy Spring, MD

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