Home > Salary > United Kingdom > Principal Software Engineer
The occupation of a Principal Software Engineer involves leading and managing the development of software systems. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex software solutions. This role requires strong technical expertise and leadership skills to guide a team of software engineers. Principal Software Engineers also collaborate with other stakeholders such as product managers and designers to understand requirements and ensure that the software meets the desired specifications. They are responsible for making critical decisions related to architecture, scalability, and performance optimization. Additionally, they stay updated with the latest technologies and industry trends to continuously improve the software development process. Overall, a Principal Software Engineer plays a crucial role in driving innovation, ensuring code quality, and delivering high-quality software products to meet business objectives.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 107,431 GBP
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,953 GBP
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,066 GBP per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 52 GBP per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,654 GBP
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,997 GBP per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 50 GBP per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-06-21
Estimated Yearly Salary: 126,244 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,520 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,428 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 61 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: 107,431 GBP
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,953 GBP
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,066 GBP per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 52 GBP per hour
By working as Principal Software Engineer a person can save up to 8,565 USD per month or 102,777 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 United Kingdom, see costs of living in United Kingdom.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Principal Software Engineer
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
Random salary:
Health information management (him), manager (44,029 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Fashion shoemaker (45,068 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Photonics engineer (59,398 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Resource teacher (29,362 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Director of legal affairs (93,458 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Principal Software Engineer salary in United Kingdom
Average Yearly Salary of Principal Software Engineer in United Kingdom is approximately 107,431 GBP (126,244 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 Software Engineer do?
The occupation of a Principal Software Engineer involves leading and managing the development of software systems. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex software solutions. This role requires strong technical expertise and leadership skills to guide a team of software engineers. Principal Software Engineers also collaborate with other stakeholders such as product managers and designers to understand requirements and ensure that the software meets the desired specifications. They are responsible for making critical decisions related to architecture, scalability, and performance optimization. Additionally, they stay updated with the latest technologies and industry trends to continuously improve the software development process. Overall, a Principal Software Engineer plays a crucial role in driving innovation, ensuring code quality, and delivering high-quality software products to meet business objectives.
Skills: Principal Software Engineer, Software Development, Technical Leadership, Software Architecture, Team Management, Software Solutions
Job industry: Technology
Job industry: Technology
How much does Principal Software Engineer make?
Salary details
How much does Principal Software Engineer make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 107,431 GBP
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,953 GBP
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,066 GBP per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 52 GBP per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 103,842 GBPEstimated Monthly Salary: 8,654 GBP
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,997 GBP per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 50 GBP per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-06-21Principal Software Engineer estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 126,244 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,520 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,428 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 61 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
Please type in your occupation and select desired country to see latest trends in salaries.
Country:
Salary comparison to National average
The United Kingdom, also known as the UK, is a country located in northwestern Europe. It consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. With a population of approximately 66 million people, it is the fifth-largest economy in the world. The UK covers an area of around 93,600 square miles, making it the 78th largest country by size.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 41,537 GBP (48,890 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Principal Software Engineer job salary compared to average salary in United Kingdom.
Comparison shows that a person working as Principal Software Engineer in United Kingdom earns on average:
2.59 times the average salary (or 259% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 41,537 GBP (48,890 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Principal Software Engineer job salary compared to average salary in United Kingdom.
Comparison shows that a person working as Principal Software Engineer in United Kingdom earns on average:
2.59 times the average salary (or 259% of average salary).
Is Principal Software Engineer a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Principal Software 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 Software Engineer?
High salary for Principal Software Engineer would be somewhere between 118,174 GBP and 155,775 GBP. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Principal Software Engineer in United Kingdom?
Living in United Kingdom the approximate monthly expenses are: 1,956 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: 107,431 GBP
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,953 GBP
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,066 GBP per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 52 GBP per hour
By working as Principal Software Engineer a person can save up to 8,565 USD per month or 102,777 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 United Kingdom, see costs of living in United Kingdom.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Ireland. 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 Software Engineer
Ireland is 228,800 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 United Kingdom
(906,313 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
(398,557 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
(396,499 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
4. Cardiologist
(332,162 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
5. Cardiologist
(330,298 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
(320,143 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
(319,848 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
8. Neurosurgeon
(310,506 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
9. Neurosurgeon
(309,585 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
(309,338 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Data as of 2025Random salary:
Health information management (him), manager (44,029 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Fashion shoemaker (45,068 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Photonics engineer (59,398 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Resource teacher (29,362 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Director of legal affairs (93,458 GBP per year, pre-tax.)
Feedback about these results
Please provide feedback by clicking buttons below if you find any of our salaries erroneous.
Link to this graph - use the following code to display the salary graph on your page:
<a href='https://optisalary.com/salary?country=united-kingdom&job=principal-software-engineer'><img src='https://optisalary.com/wp-content/graphs/salary/principal-software-engineer-salary-in-united-kingdom-2025.jpg' alt='principal software engineer salary in united kingdom 2025' title='principal software engineer salary in united kingdom 2025' /></a>
Please note:This website offers salary estimates for educational purposes exclusively.
The salary figures on optisalary.com are meant for reference use exclusively. We compile salary data from varied providers, but cannot guarantee complete accuracy. Users should on their own confirm salaries before making career commitments. Salary fluctuations occur due to industry standards, demand shifts, and location. We deny any warranty regarding the correctness of the listed salary data. By accessing this site, you agree that salary data is not definitive.
This website aggregates salary data for reference use only. We attempt to provide accurate figures, but do not assure their precision. Users are urged to check official platforms before making financial choices. Salary ranges may vary due to company policies, market demands, and skills. We assume no liability for inconsistencies in the salary information provided. Your continued use with this site indicates understanding of this policy.