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Principal software engineer salary in Washington, DC, 2026
How much does a Principal Software Engineer make in Washington, DC?
Average base salary
$199,278
- Hour
- Year
13%
above national averageAverage $199,278
Low $143,693
High $276,366
The average salary for a principal software engineer is $199,278 per year in Washington, DC. 62 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated June 25, 2026).
Highest paying companies for Principal Software Engineer in Washington, DC
Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.Atlassian
$290,750per year
Shield AI
$270,427per year
CIRCLE
$267,500per year
Indeed
$254,000per year
Cox Automotive
$247,500per year
Stealth Startup
$237,500per year
