Principal Engineer Salary in Boston
Median salary for a Principal Engineer in Boston is $310k per year. Hire remotely via KiteHR and save 52% — or $161k annually.
Local Median
$310k
Remote Median
$149k
You Save
52%
Annual Savings
$161k
Local vs. Remote Salary Comparison
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Local (Boston) | Remote |
|---|---|---|
| P25 — Entry level | $260k | $133k |
| P50 — Median | $310k | $149k |
| P75 — Senior / Lead | $370k | $164k |
Total Employer Cost
Salary + estimated benefits, payroll taxes, and overhead (30% local / 15% remote).
In-person in Boston
$403k
/year total cost
Remote via KiteHR
$171k
/year total cost
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Principal Engineer salary in Boston?
The median Principal Engineer salary in Boston is $310k per year. Entry-level roles start around $260k, while senior or lead-level Principal Engineers can earn up to $370k. Data reflects 2025 market rates sourced from BLS OES, DOL H-1B LCA disclosures, and KiteHR market research.
How much can I save hiring a remote Principal Engineer?
Hiring a remote Principal Engineer vs. a Boston-based hire saves approximately 52% — or $161k per year. Remote Engineering professionals typically earn $149k median, compared to the local Boston rate of $310k.
Is it common to hire a remote Principal Engineer?
Yes — Engineering roles like Principal Engineer have a high degree of remote compatibility. Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia have deep talent pools for this category. KiteHR can help you post the role, screen candidates, and manage the hiring pipeline entirely online.
What is the total employer cost for a Principal Engineer in Boston?
The total employer cost — including salary, payroll taxes, health benefits, and overhead — for a Principal Engineer in Boston is approximately $403k per year. Hiring remote reduces this to roughly $171k, saving $232k annually.
Savings Calculator
How many Principal Engineers are you hiring in Boston?
Annual savings with remote team
$484k
$161k per role × 3 hires
Ready to hire?
Generate a Principal Engineer job description with AI, post it, and start receiving remote applicants — all for free.
Generate JD with AIRole Insights
- Demand in Boston
- low
- Category
- Engineering
- Data year
- 2025
- Currency
- USD
Other Engineering Roles in Boston
Data sourced from BLS OES, DOL H-1B LCA disclosures, and KiteHR market research. Figures are estimates and may vary by company, seniority, and experience level.
Principal Engineer Salary in Other Cities
Stop overpaying for Principal Engineers in Boston
Post a remote Principal Engineer role on KiteHR, track applicants with AI-powered tools, and make your first hire — all for free.