Principal software engineer salary in San Diego, CA, 2026
How much does a Principal Software Engineer make in San Diego, CA?
Average base salary
- Hour
- Year
The average salary for a principal software engineer is $183,556 per year in San Diego, CA. 139 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated October 2, 2026).
Highest paying companies for Principal Software Engineer in San Diego, CA
Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.Looking to Hire?
Highest paying cities for Principal Software Engineers near San Diego, CA
Where can a Principal Software Engineer earn more?
Compare salaries for Principal Software Engineers in different locations
Skills for Principal Software Engineer
- Software development
- Leadership
- Java
- Communication skills
- AWS
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Principal Software Engineer
The average salary for a Principal Software Engineer is $183,556 per year in San Diego, CA. This figure is based on 139 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on October 2, 2026.
Principal Software Engineer jobs on Indeed - find your next one today.
Principal Software Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA typically range between a low of $121,033 and a high of $278,378 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.
Some of the highest-paying cities for Principal Software Engineer in San Diego, CA include San Mateo, CA at $319,443 per year, San Francisco, CA at $235,971 per year, and San Jose, CA at $235,405 per year.
Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Principal Software Engineer in San Diego, CA include Chipton Ross ($356,200 per year) and Arm ($281,719 per year).
Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Principal Software Engineer salary in San Diego, CA compares to related positions: