▲4%
$144,416
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
25%
$126k
MEDIAN
$144k
75%
$153k
The average salary for a Principal Systems Engineer is $144,416 in 2025
Base Salary
$126k - $153k
Bonus
$14k - $20k
Profit Sharing
$0 - $11k
Total Pay
$136k - $176k
Is Average Mid-Career Principal Systems Engineer Salary in San Jose, California 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?
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Principal Systems Engineers?
▲4%
What Do Principal Systems Engineers Do?
Principal Systems Engineer Tasks
- Plan, develop and lead systems engineering projects and efforts.
- May also interact with customers, make business assessments and mentor other engineers.
- Develop, configure and oversee the upgrade, enhancements and fixes of applicable systems.
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Principal Systems Engineer
Medical
86%
Dental
86%
Vision
86%
None
14%
Gender Breakdown for Principal Systems Engineers
Male
60.0%
Female
40.0%
This data is based on 5 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Principal Systems Engineers
What is the highest pay for Principal Systems Engineers in San Jose?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Principal Systems Engineer in San Jose is $NaN / year
What is the lowest pay for Principal Systems Engineers in San Jose?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Principal Systems Engineer in San Jose is $NaN / year
How can Principal Systems Engineers increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Principal Systems 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 Systems Engineer that oversees more junior Principal Systems Engineers, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.