Principal Engineer Salary in London

540+ verified salaries · London

What do Principal Engineers earn in London?

Principal Engineers in London represent the top of the individual contributor track, with a median of £155,000. These roles require deep architectural expertise, strategic technical vision, and the ability to influence engineering direction at a company or divisional level.

Principal engineers at FAANG, major fintechs, and tier-1 tech companies often earn total compensation well in excess of £200,000 when RSUs, bonuses, and other benefits are included. The role is rare, highly competitive, and commands premium compensation across all sectors.

Salary by seniority level

Staff Engineer: £125,000 – £145,000

Principal Engineer: £145,000 – £170,000

Senior Principal: £170,000 – £200,000

Distinguished / Fellow (top level): £200,000 – £260,000+

About this data

MasloJobs aggregates salary data from 350,000+ verified tech compensation data points across Europe. Updated continuously from live job postings, not self-reported surveys.

Last updated: March 2026