Senior Principal Engineer salary in South Africa

Average Yearly Salary of Senior Principal Engineer in South Africa is approximately 386,810 ZAR (19,413 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 Senior Principal Engineer do?

A senior principal engineer is a highly experienced professional responsible for overseeing and leading engineering projects within an organization. They possess advanced technical knowledge and skills, and their primary role is to provide guidance, mentorship, and technical expertise to other engineers. Senior principal engineers are involved in the design, development, and implementation of complex systems or products, ensuring they meet quality standards and adhere to project specifications. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, including project managers, architects, and stakeholders, to define project goals, allocate resources, and establish timelines. Additionally, they may be involved in conducting research, staying updated with industry trends, and proposing innovative solutions to enhance engineering processes. This occupation requires strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills to effectively manage teams and deliver successful engineering projects.

Skills: Senior Principal Engineer, Engineering Leadership, Technical Expertise, Project Management, Problem-Solving, Innovation
Job industry: Engineering

How much does Senior Principal Engineer make?

Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately 3 %


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Salary comparison to National average

Is Senior Principal Engineer a well paid job?

Yes, our data show that Senior 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 Senior Principal Engineer?

High salary for Senior Principal Engineer would be somewhere between 425,491 ZAR and 560,875 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.

How much can you save working as Senior Principal Engineer in South Africa?

Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 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: 386,810 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 32,234 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 7,439 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 186 ZAR per hour
By working as Senior Principal Engineer a person can save up to 1,347 USD per month or 16,159 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 South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.

Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries

Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho.
To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).

Estimated Yearly Salary for Senior Principal Engineer

Last revision of data: 2025-01-04

Salary 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 increase

NOTE: Details based on limited set of data. Percentages may vary. The salary increase over years of experience can vary widely based on factors such as job industry, job role, location, company size, and individual performance. To gain even larger increase in salary one is advised to switch jobs and / or employer.

Top 10 highest salaries in South Africa

Data as of 2025

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