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How much does Principal Software Developer make?
Total pay range
$178K - $281K/yr
$222K/yrMedian total pay
Pay breakdown
$136K - $204K/yrBase pay
$41K - $77K/yrAdditional pay
About our data
Confident
Last updated Apr 10, 2025391 Salaries submitted
How accurate is a total pay range of $178K-$281K/yr?
Your input helps Glassdoor refine our pay estimates over time.
Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview
What is the pay outlook for Engineering?
Engineering jobs are in high demand with workers receiving generous compensation packages and bonuses. Engineering offers ample opportunity for growth and development with transferable skills across an array of fields from software, supply chain and logistics to aerospace. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree. To remain competitive, job-seekers should consider specialization or skill-specific programs such as coding boot-camps or certifications.
Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for Principal Software Developer in United States are Management & Consulting with a median total pay of $191,910, Financial Services with a median total pay of $191,700, Media & Communication with a median total pay of $189,846, Energy, Mining & Utilities with a median total pay of $184,730, and Information Technology with a median total pay of $177,583.
Management & Consulting
The top paying company in Management & Consulting for Principal Software Developer is Incandescent.
Popular companies for Principal Software Developers
Frequently asked questions about Principal Software Developer salaries
The average salary for Principal Software Developer is $221,697 per year or $107 per hour, with top earners making up to $345,023 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $177,528 (25th percentile) to $280,886 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 391 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Principal Software Developer employees.
The highest salary for Principal Software Developer is $280,886 per year, $23,407 per month or $135 per hour.
The lowest salary for Principal Software Developer is $177,528 per year, $14,794 per month or $85 per hour.
The salary trajectory of Principal Software Developer ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $134,245 per year (estimate) and goes up to $375,529 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
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