Home > Salary > Australia > Principal Engineer
A principal engineer is a high-level technical expert responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing complex engineering projects. They lead a team of engineers and collaborate with other departments to ensure the successful execution of projects. Principal engineers are involved in all stages of the engineering process, from conceptualization to completion, and are responsible for making critical decisions that impact the overall success of the project.
Their role includes conducting research, analyzing data, and identifying innovative solutions to engineering challenges. They also provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, ensuring the development of their skills and knowledge. Principal engineers must possess strong leadership and communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 313,367 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 26,114 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 6,026 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 151 AUD per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 25,140 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,802 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 145 AUD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-07
Estimated Yearly Salary: 156,086 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 13,007 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,002 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 75 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 313,367 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 26,114 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 6,026 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 151 AUD per hour
By working as Principal Engineer a person can save up to 10,590 USD per month or 127,080 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in Australia, see costs of living in Australia.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Principal Engineer
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Principal Engineer salary in Australia
Average Yearly Salary of Principal Engineer in Australia is approximately 313,367 AUD (156,086 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Principal Engineer do?
A principal engineer is a high-level technical expert responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing complex engineering projects. They lead a team of engineers and collaborate with other departments to ensure the successful execution of projects. Principal engineers are involved in all stages of the engineering process, from conceptualization to completion, and are responsible for making critical decisions that impact the overall success of the project.
Their role includes conducting research, analyzing data, and identifying innovative solutions to engineering challenges. They also provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, ensuring the development of their skills and knowledge. Principal engineers must possess strong leadership and communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Skills: Principal Engineer, Engineering Leadership, Technical Expertise, Project Management, Innovation, Team Collaboration
Job industry: Engineering
Job industry: Engineering
How much does Principal Engineer make?
Salary details
How much does Principal Engineer make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 313,367 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 26,114 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 6,026 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 151 AUD per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 301,678 AUDEstimated Monthly Salary: 25,140 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,802 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 145 AUD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-07Principal Engineer estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 156,086 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 13,007 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,002 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 75 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Salary comparison to National average
Australia is a vast country located in the southern hemisphere. It has a diverse population of approximately 25 million people. The country spans an area of about 7.7 million square kilometers, making it the sixth-largest country in the world. Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the Outback.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 84,179 AUD (60,430 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Principal Engineer job salary compared to average salary in Australia.
Comparison shows that a person working as Principal Engineer in Australia earns on average:
3.72 times the average salary (or 372% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 84,179 AUD (60,430 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Principal Engineer job salary compared to average salary in Australia.
Comparison shows that a person working as Principal Engineer in Australia earns on average:
3.72 times the average salary (or 372% of average salary).
Is Principal Engineer a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Principal Engineer is a very well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Principal Engineer?
High salary for Principal Engineer would be somewhere between 344,704 AUD and 454,382 AUD. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Principal Engineer in Australia?
Living in Australia the approximate monthly expenses are: 2,417 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 313,367 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 26,114 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 6,026 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 151 AUD per hour
By working as Principal Engineer a person can save up to 10,590 USD per month or 127,080 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in Australia, see costs of living in Australia.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Principal Engineer
Indonesia is 27,378 USD
East Timor is 116,222 USD Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in Australia
(1,263,730 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
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Data as of 2025Random salary:
Ms access database developer (171,258 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Tailor (66,502 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Food safety manager (101,015 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Senior internal auditor (121,217 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
.net lead (218,684 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
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