United States
Job
Principal Software Engineer

Average Experienced Principal Software Engineer with Linux Skills Salary in San Francisco, California

Pay
Job Details
Skills
Job Listings
How should I pay?Price a Job
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$189,977
/ year

Avg. Base Salary (USD)
25%
$164k
MEDIAN
$190k
75%
$203k

The average salary for a Principal Software Engineer is $189,977 in 2025

Base Salary
$164k - $203k
Bonus
$25k - $32k
Total Pay
$179k - $235k
Based on 7 salary profiles (last updated May 21 2023)
Is Average Experienced Principal Software Engineer with Linux Skills Salary in San Francisco, California your job title? Find out what you should be paid
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What Do Principal Software Engineers Do?

Find your market worth – how it works:

Common Health Benefits for a Principal Software Engineer

Medical
100%
Dental
100%
Vision
100%

Gender Breakdown for Principal Software Engineers

Male
100.0%
This data is based on 2 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
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FAQs About Principal Software Engineers

What is the highest pay for Principal Software Engineers in San Francisco?

Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Principal Software Engineer in San Francisco is $NaN / year

What is the lowest pay for Principal Software Engineers in San Francisco?

Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Principal Software Engineer in San Francisco is $NaN / year

How can Principal Software Engineers increase their salary?

Increasing your pay as a Principal Software 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 Software Engineer that oversees more junior Principal Software 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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