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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Structural Engineer in Washington is $135,547 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.
However, a Principal Structural Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Principal Structural Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $146,557 | $12,213 | $2,818 | $70 |
| Average | $135,547 | $11,296 | $2,607 | $65 |
| 25th Percentile | $126,393 | $10,533 | $2,431 | $61 |
ASR INTERNATIONAL - Silverdale, WA
Magnusson Klemencic Associates - Seattle, WA
Jacobs Solutions - Bellevue, WA
Addison Group - Seattle, WA
A Principal Structural 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.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Principal Structural Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Principal Structural Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Principal Structural Engineer positions in MFG Durable or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Structural Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $203,321 | $98.0 | 50% |
| Business Services | $162,657 | $78.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Principal Structural 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $146,557 | $12,213 | $2,818 | $70 |
| Average | $135,547 | $11,296 | $2,607 | $65 |
| 25th Percentile | $126,393 | $10,533 | $2,431 | $61 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Structural Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Kleinschmidt Group
Redmond, WA
Kleinschmidt Group | Redmond, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Kleinschmidt has a full-time opening for a Senior Structural Engineer in either our Portland, Oregon or Redmond, Washingt... more
5 Days Ago
Walker Consultants
Seattle, WA
Walker Consultants | Seattle, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Please note: This role is targeted for a Q3/4 hiring timeline. We are proactively accepting applications and engaging wit... more
3 Days Ago
DJ&A
Vancouver, WA
DJ&A | Vancouver, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Senior Structural Bridge Engineer – Any DJ&A Office Location. Founded in 1973, DJ&A is a multidisciplinary professional s... more
2 Days Ago
Facet
Seattle, WA
Facet | Seattle, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Join Our Facet Team. Facet is a fast-growing energetic civil and structural engineering and environmental consulting firm... more
2 Days Ago
Stratus Team LLC
Vancouver, WA
Stratus Team LLC | Vancouver, WA
Job Description. Job Description. About Stratus. Stratus® is an integrated, multi-disciplinary engineering, architecture, interior design, and consulting f... more
3 Days Ago
Stratus Team LLC
Spokane, WA
Stratus Team LLC | Spokane, WA
Job Description. Job Description. About Stratus. Stratus® is an integrated, multi-disciplinary engineering, architecture, interior design, and consulting f... more
3 Days Ago
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