Home > Salary > China > 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: 265,126 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 22,094 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,099 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 127 CNY per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,383 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,935 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 123 CNY per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 33,154 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 2,763 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 638 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 16 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
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: 265,126 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 22,094 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,099 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 127 CNY per hour
By working as Principal Engineer a person can save up to 2,249 USD per month or 26,986 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 China, see costs of living in China.
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 China
Average Yearly Salary of Principal Engineer in China is approximately 265,126 CNY (33,154 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: 265,126 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 22,094 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,099 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 127 CNY per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 256,600 CNYEstimated Monthly Salary: 21,383 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,935 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 123 CNY per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03Principal Engineer estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 33,154 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 2,763 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 638 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 16 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %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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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
China is a vast country located in East Asia. It has the largest population in the world, with over 1.4 billion people. The country covers an expansive area of approximately 9.6 million square kilometers. China shares borders with 14 countries and has diverse geographical features, including mountains, plateaus, and plains.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 92,134 CNY (12,850 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Principal Engineer job salary compared to average salary in China.
Comparison shows that a person working as Principal Engineer in China earns on average:
2.88 times the average salary (or 288% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 92,134 CNY (12,850 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Principal Engineer job salary compared to average salary in China.
Comparison shows that a person working as Principal Engineer in China earns on average:
2.88 times the average salary (or 288% 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 291,639 CNY and 384,433 CNY. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Principal Engineer in China?
Living in China the approximate monthly expenses are: 514 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: 265,126 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 22,094 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,099 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 127 CNY per hour
By working as Principal Engineer a person can save up to 2,249 USD per month or 26,986 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 China, see costs of living in China.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam, North Korea. 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
Russia is 33,194 USD
Afghanistan is 15,549 USD
Pakistan is 4,068 USD
India is 57,601 USD
Nepal is 18,988 USD
Vietnam is 10,346 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 China
(1,075,420 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(893,602 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
(861,748 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
4. Neurosurgeon
(835,990 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
(833,048 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
6. Urologist
(818,021 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
(817,649 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
(817,013 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
(813,232 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
10. Oncologist
(812,783 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Data as of 2025Random salary:
Audiometric technician (50,678 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Die casting machine operator (50,678 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Search marketing analyst (93,977 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Landscape architecture designer (82,221 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Dog trainer (38,266 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
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