United States
Job
Principal Engineer

Average Principal Engineer Salary in Chicago, Illinois

Pay
Job Details
Job Listings
How should I pay?Price a Job
What am I worth?Find market worth
$129,606
/ year

Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$107k
MEDIAN
$130k
90%
$186k

The average salary for a Principal Engineer is $129,606 in 2025

Base Salary
$107k - $186k
Bonus
$7k - $40k
Total Pay
$117k - $188k
Based on 22 salary profiles (last updated Oct 09 2023)
Is Average Principal Engineer Salary in Chicago, Illinois your job title? Find out what you should be paid
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What Do Principal Engineers Do?

Find your market worth – how it works:

Common Health Benefits for a Principal Engineer

Medical
100%
Dental
85%
Vision
69%

Gender Breakdown for Principal Engineers

Male
87.5%
Female
12.5%
This data is based on 8 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
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FAQs About Principal Engineers

What is the highest pay for Principal Engineers in Chicago?

Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Principal Engineer in Chicago is $186k / year

What is the lowest pay for Principal Engineers in Chicago?

Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Principal Engineer in Chicago is $107k / year

How can Principal Engineers increase their salary?

Increasing your pay as a Principal Engineer is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Principal Engineer that oversees more junior Principal Engineers, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.

WHAT AM I WORTH?
What your skills are worth in the job market is constantly changing.
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