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The differences between principal software engineers and directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a principal software engineer, becoming a director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a principal software engineer has an average salary of $134,230, which is higher than the $113,489 average annual salary of a director.
The top three skills for a principal software engineer include java, python and software development. The most important skills for a director are healthcare, customer service, and oversight.
| Principal Software Engineer | Director | |
| Yearly salary | $134,230 | $113,489 |
| Hourly rate | $64.53 | $54.56 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 345,893 | 230,711 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 39 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A Principal Software Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of an organization's projects. They diagnose, document, and troubleshoot systems to resolve problems identified through testing, as well as implement strategies to improve integration and efficiency.
Directors work in show business, whether in a film, a television show, or a theatre production. They are responsible for bringing the material to life. They work with the writers to get a clear vision of how the production should look. They lead the production team in planning for the production, identifying filming or rehearsing schedules, casting for roles, and other aspects that need to be decided upon. Directors provide direction to the actors to ensure that the actors understand their role and will be able to effectively convey emotions to the audience. They also manage all other crew members and communicate their expectations clearly so that everyone on the set is working towards one vision.
Principal software engineers and directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Software Engineer | Director | |
| Average salary | $134,230 | $113,489 |
| Salary range | Between $98,000 And $182,000 | Between $66,000 And $192,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New York |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a principal software engineer and a director in terms of educational background:
| Principal Software Engineer | Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between principal software engineers' and directors' demographics:
| Principal Software Engineer | Director | |
| Average age | 39 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 53.2% Female, 46.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 14% |