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The differences between principal engineers and project 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 a project engineer. Additionally, a principal engineer has an average salary of $130,213, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a principal engineer include java, architecture and python. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Principal Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $130,213 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $62.60 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 312,683 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| 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.
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Principal engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $130,213 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $95,000 And $177,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Grubhub | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Energy |
There are a few differences between a principal engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between principal engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Principal Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| 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, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |