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The differences between principal engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a principal engineer and an engineer. Additionally, a principal engineer has an average salary of $130,213, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a principal engineer include java, architecture and python. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Principal Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $130,213 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $62.60 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 312,683 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Principal engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $130,213 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $95,000 And $177,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Grubhub | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a principal engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between principal engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Principal Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |