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Principal Embedded Software Engineer Salary in Wheeling, IL

How much does a Principal Embedded Software Engineer make in Wheeling, IL?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer in Wheeling, IL is $161,997 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $176,977
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $154,752 to $169,838
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $148,156
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $154,752 10% $148,156 90% $176,977 75% $169,838 $161,997 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 $169,838 $14,153 $3,266 $82
Average $161,997 $13,500 $3,115 $78
25th Percentile $154,752 $12,896 $2,976 $74
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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): $116,620
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $142,273
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $161,421
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $194,774
  • Expert (over 8 years): $123,268
Levels Salary
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$116,620
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$142,273
Principal... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$161,421
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$194,774
Embedded ... Level Principal Embedded Software Engineer$123,268
$116,620 0 yr
$142,273 < 2 yrs
$161,421 2-4 yrs
$194,774 5-8 yrs
$123,268 > 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
 $181,436
12%
Verbal Communication
 $176,577
9%
Scheduling
 $174,957
8%
Debugging
 $171,717
6%
Git
 $170,097
5%
Continuous Learning
 $170,097
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$170,097$82.05%
Business Services$170,097$82.05%
Construction$170,097$82.05%
Energy & Utilities$170,097$82.05%
Healthcare$170,097$82.05%

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 August 01, 2026
$154,752
Average $161,997/year
$169,838
$12,896
Average $13,500/month
$14,153
$2,976
Average $3,115/week
$3,266
$74
Average $78/hour
$82
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $169,838 $14,153 $3,266 $82
Average $161,997 $13,500 $3,115 $78
25th Percentile $154,752 $12,896 $2,976 $74

Salaries of jobs related to Principal Embedded Software Engineer

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

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Cost of Living In Wheeling, IL

Cost of Living in Wheeling, IL is
8.4% Higher
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