Best cities for a principal test engineer
The best cities for principal test engineers are San Jose, CA, Sacramento, CA, and Fremont, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for principal test engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for principal test engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a principal test engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for principal test engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for principal test engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a principal test engineer. While the absolute best city for principal test engineers is San Jose, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for principal test engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a principal test engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for principal test engineers in 2026
1. San Jose, CA
Total principal test engineer jobs: 41 Average annual salary: $152,768 Lowest 10 percent warn: $105,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $222,000 Location quotient: 7.87 2. Sacramento, CA
Total principal test engineer jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $152,362 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $222,000 Location quotient: 3.26 3. Fremont, CA
Total principal test engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $152,970 Lowest 10 percent warn: $105,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $222,000 Location quotient: 1.35 4. Irvine, CA
Total principal test engineer jobs: 22 Average annual salary: $137,703 Lowest 10 percent warn: $95,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $199,000 Location quotient: 10.95 5. Portland, OR
Total principal test engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $136,166 Lowest 10 percent warn: $91,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $201,000 Location quotient: 0.80 6. Seattle, WA
Total principal test engineer jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $135,994 Lowest 10 percent warn: $91,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $201,000 Location quotient: 1.29 7. Las Vegas, NV
Total principal test engineer jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $117,094 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $171,000 Location quotient: 1.73 8. Los Angeles, CA
Total principal test engineer jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $141,175 Lowest 10 percent warn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 2.22 9. San Diego, CA
Total principal test engineer jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $132,006 Lowest 10 percent warn: $91,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $190,000 Location quotient: 3.58 10. Gilbert, AZ
Total principal test engineer jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $107,557 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $155,000 Location quotient: 39.34
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Best cities for principal test engineers
- San Jose, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Irvine, CA
- Portland, OR
- Seattle, WA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Gilbert, AZ
- (41 principal test engineer jobs)
- (5 principal test engineer jobs)
- (2 principal test engineer jobs)
- (22 principal test engineer jobs)
- (2 principal test engineer jobs)
- (8 principal test engineer jobs)
- (3 principal test engineer jobs)
- (14 principal test engineer jobs)
- (16 principal test engineer jobs)
- (7 principal test engineer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a principal test engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $152,768 | $105,000 | 1,025,350 | 41 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $152,362 | $104,000 | 495,234 | 5 |
| 3 | Fremont, CA | $152,970 | $105,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 4 | Irvine, CA | $137,703 | $95,000 | 266,122 | 22 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $136,166 | $91,000 | 639,863 | 2 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $135,994 | $91,000 | 704,352 | 8 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $117,094 | $80,000 | 632,912 | 3 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $141,175 | $97,000 | 3,976,322 | 14 |
| 9 | San Diego, CA | $132,006 | $91,000 | 1,406,630 | 16 |
| 10 | Gilbert, AZ | $107,557 | $74,000 | 237,133 | 7 |
| 11 | Chandler, AZ | $107,654 | $74,000 | 247,477 | 6 |
| 12 | San Francisco, CA | $153,542 | $105,000 | 870,887 | 3 |
| 13 | Oakland, CA | $153,314 | $105,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 14 | San Antonio, TX | $101,908 | $71,000 | 1,492,510 | 5 |
| 15 | Austin, TX | $101,770 | $71,000 | 947,890 | 14 |
| 16 | Stockton, CA | $152,315 | $104,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 17 | Phoenix, AZ | $108,373 | $74,000 | 1,615,017 | 5 |
| 18 | Reno, NV | $121,861 | $82,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 19 | Fresno, CA | $150,172 | $103,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 20 | Bakersfield, CA | $147,351 | $101,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 21 | North Las Vegas, NV | $116,909 | $79,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 22 | Henderson, NV | $116,461 | $79,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 23 | Anaheim, CA | $138,941 | $95,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 24 | Riverside, CA | $138,422 | $95,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 25 | Long Beach, CA | $139,160 | $96,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 26 | Santa Ana, CA | $138,292 | $95,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 27 | Detroit, MI | $102,390 | $74,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 28 | Cleveland, OH | $98,408 | $71,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 29 | Glendale, AZ | $108,432 | $74,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 30 | Anchorage, AK | $120,402 | $85,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 31 | Philadelphia, PA | $100,981 | $73,000 | 1,567,872 | 3 |
| 32 | Chula Vista, CA | $131,199 | $91,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 33 | Scottsdale, AZ | $108,289 | $74,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 34 | Oklahoma City, OK | $95,216 | $67,000 | 638,367 | 9 |
| 35 | Mesa, AZ | $107,660 | $74,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 36 | El Paso, TX | $105,751 | $73,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 37 | Laredo, TX | $101,526 | $71,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 38 | Houston, TX | $101,360 | $71,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 39 | Dallas, TX | $100,734 | $71,000 | 1,317,929 | 2 |
| 40 | Lubbock, TX | $103,266 | $72,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 41 | Corpus Christi, TX | $101,157 | $71,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 42 | Toledo, OH | $97,530 | $70,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 43 | Fort Worth, TX | $100,987 | $71,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 44 | Columbus, OH | $96,810 | $69,000 | 860,090 | 1 |
| 45 | Arlington, TX | $100,912 | $71,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 46 | Tucson, AZ | $105,324 | $73,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 47 | Irving, TX | $100,745 | $71,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 48 | Saint Paul, MN | $98,807 | $71,000 | 302,398 | 2 |
| 49 | Boston, MA | $111,227 | $81,000 | 673,184 | 6 |
| 50 | Garland, TX | $100,542 | $71,000 | 234,943 | - |
Highest paying cities for principal test engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. principal test engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $153,542 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $136,166 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $135,994 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $111,227 |
| 5 | Edison, NJ | $111,033 |
| 6 | Midvale, UT | $110,708 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $108,373 |
| 8 | Sterling, VA | $105,066 |
| 9 | Livonia, MI | $102,270 |
| 10 | San Antonio, TX | $101,908 |
| 11 | Atlanta, GA | $99,865 |
| 12 | Boulder, CO | $98,742 |
| 13 | Baltimore, MD | $92,879 |
| 14 | Indianapolis, IN | $90,215 |
| 15 | Durham, NC | $88,352 |
| 16 | Huntsville, AL | $83,696 |
Principal test engineer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025