▲22%
$100,529
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$76k
MEDIAN
$101k
90%
$126k
The average salary for a Principal Mechanical Engineer is $100,529 in 2025
Base Salary
$76k - $126k
Bonus
$491 - $14k
Total Pay
$78k - $127k
Is Average Mid-Career Principal Mechanical Engineer with Microsoft Office Skills Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
EXPLORE BY:
Featured Content
‹
Remote Work
New research shows how to set pay for remote employees
Gender Pay Gap
New research shows that each woman experiences the disparity of gender pay gap in different ways, depending on her position, age, race and education.
Compensation Best Practices Report
From compensation planning to variable pay to pay equity analysis, we surveyed 4,900+ organizations on how they manage compensation.
Salary Budget Survey Report
See how organizations are shifting their salary budgets this year.
Retention Report
Get strategies you can use to retain top talent and learn how impactful employee retention really is.
Variable Pay Playbook
Before you decide whether variable pay is right for your org, get a deeper understanding of the variable pay options and the cultural impact of pay choices.
›
What is the Pay by Experience Level for Principal Mechanical Engineers?
▲19%
What Do Principal Mechanical Engineers Do?
Principal Mechanical Engineer Tasks
- Manage all aspects Mechanical Engineering projects from beginning phases until completion.
- Research design and make decisions based on appearance, safety, budget, and function.
- Manage time and cost to complete projects.
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Principal Mechanical Engineer
Medical
92%
Dental
92%
Vision
69%
None
8%
Gender Breakdown for Principal Mechanical Engineers
Male
91.7%
Female
8.3%
This data is based on 12 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Principal Mechanical Engineers
What is the highest pay for Principal Mechanical Engineers?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Principal Mechanical Engineer is $126k / year
What is the lowest pay for Principal Mechanical Engineers?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Principal Mechanical Engineer is $76k / year
How can Principal Mechanical Engineers increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Principal Mechanical 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 Mechanical Engineer that oversees more junior Principal Mechanical Engineers, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.