Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between engineering managers and principal engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become an engineering manager, becoming a principal engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineering manager has an average salary of $139,328, which is higher than the $130,213 average annual salary of a principal engineer.
The top three skills for an engineering manager include java, project management and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a principal engineer are java, architecture, and python.
| Engineering Manager | Principal Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $139,328 | $130,213 |
| Hourly rate | $66.98 | $62.60 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 67,124 | 312,683 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.33 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 48 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
An engineering manager is responsible for managing the overall concept of engineering and construction projects, ensuring that the plan meets the budget goals and the client's specifications. Engineering managers approve designs, plan strategic procedures to follow the project's timetable, analyze current market trends, hire the best and efficient contractors, and coordinate with the clients for any changes and adjustments as needed. An engineering manager must have excellent knowledge of engineering disciplines, as well as leadership and communication skills, monitoring the team's performance throughout the project.
A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in preparing reports and training new staff.
Engineering managers and principal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineering Manager | Principal Engineer | |
| Average salary | $139,328 | $130,213 |
| Salary range | Between $99,000 And $195,000 | Between $95,000 And $177,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Mixpanel | Grubhub |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an engineering manager and a principal engineer in terms of educational background:
| Engineering Manager | Principal Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between engineering managers' and principal engineers' demographics:
| Engineering Manager | Principal Engineer | |
| Average age | 48 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.2% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 5% |