Principal Software Engineer Salary in Chicago, Illinois

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Principal Software Engineer Salary in Chicago, IL

How much does a Principal Software Engineer make in Chicago, IL?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Principal Software Engineer in Chicago, IL is $135,302. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $124,263 to $147,779, with most professionals earning between $114,211 and $159,138.

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Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
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Principal Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $114,211 Chicago,IL April 01, 2025
25th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $124,263 Chicago,IL April 01, 2025
50th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $135,302 Chicago,IL April 01, 2025
75th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $147,779 Chicago,IL April 01, 2025
90th Percentile Principal Software Engineer Salary $159,138 Chicago,IL April 01, 2025
25% $124,263 10% $114,211 90% $159,138 75% $147,779 $135,302 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Principal Software Engineer

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Job Openings for Principal Software Engineer in Chicago, IL

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Software Engineer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    Principal Software Engineer

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Software Engineer IV

    7 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

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Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Principal Software Engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
124263
147779
135302

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
124263
147779
135302
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Principal Software Engineer in Chicago, IL. The base salary for Principal Software Engineer ranges from $124,263 to $147,779 with the average base salary of $135,302. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $124,263 to $147,779 with the average total cash compensation of $135,302.

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124263
147779

 

About Chicago, Illinois    Chicago (/ʃɪˈkɑːɡoʊ/ (listen), locally also /-ˈkɔː-/), officially the City of Chicago, is the most populous city in Illinois, as well as the third mos....More

Chicago, Illinois  area prices were up 0.8% from a year ago

Principal Software Engineer Salary in popular cities: Aurora, Rockford, Joliet

Skills associated with Principal Software Engineer: Design, Planning, Software Development, BUILD ...More

Recently searched related titles: Application Software Engineer, Controls Software Engineer, Delivery Software Engineer

Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

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