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The differences between principal engineers and principal systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a principal engineer, becoming a principal systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a principal systems engineer has an average salary of $133,208, which is higher than the $130,213 average annual salary of a principal engineer.
The top three skills for a principal engineer include java, architecture and python. The most important skills for a principal systems engineer are systems engineering, DOD, and C++.
| Principal Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $130,213 | $133,208 |
| Hourly rate | $62.60 | $64.04 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 312,683 | 146,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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.
A Principal Systems Engineer supervises a group of other engineers in technical projects. They develop and lead systems engineering projects and efforts.
Principal engineers and principal systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $130,213 | $133,208 |
| Salary range | Between $95,000 And $177,000 | Between $97,000 And $181,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Grubhub | eBay |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a principal engineer and a principal systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between principal engineers' and principal systems engineers' demographics:
| Principal Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| 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, 8.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 12.8% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 9% |