Principal Software Engineer Salary in Chicago, IL.
Updated on: Jan 7, 2026
How much does a Principal Software Engineer make in Chicago, IL?
The average Principal Software Engineer in Chicago, IL makes $190,979,
23% above the national average Principal Software Engineer salary of $155,475.
This pay is 9% lower than the combined average salaries of other metroes San Jose, CA, Kansas City, MO, and Long Beach, CA.
The average bonus for a Principal Software Engineer is $3 which represents 0% of their salary, with 5% of people reporting that they receive a bonus each year.
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Principal Software Engineer Salary Average
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On a scale from 0-10, how likely are you to recommend working at your company to a friend?
The majority of people who work as Principal Software Engineer say “8” when asked the question “On a scale from 0-10, how likely are you to recommend working at your company to a friend?”
Equity Compensation & Stock Options
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*Data is estimated and depends on the generous anonymous contributions of individuals