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The differences between principal software engineers and senior engineers 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 senior engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a principal software engineer has an average salary of $134,230, which is higher than the $108,743 average annual salary of a senior engineer.
The top three skills for a principal software engineer include java, python and software development. The most important skills for a senior engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Principal Software Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $134,230 | $108,743 |
| Hourly rate | $64.53 | $52.28 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 345,893 | 343,200 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| 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.
A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.
Principal software engineers and senior engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Software Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Average salary | $134,230 | $108,743 |
| Salary range | Between $98,000 And $182,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | California |
| Best paying company | Roku | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a principal software engineer and a senior engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Software Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between principal software engineers' and senior engineers' demographics:
| Principal Software Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.1% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |