The salary trajectory of a Principal Engineer ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at A$0 per year (estimate) and goes up to A$162,500 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
The estimated average salary for a Principal Engineer at SMEC is A$242,730 per year or A$117 per hour, but some professionals have reported earning up to roughly A$387,897 per year (90th percentile). The typical pay range is between A$191,656 (25th percentile) and A$312,050 (75th percentile) annually. This is based on 8 salaries submitted by SMEC Principal Engineer professionals on Glassdoor, as of Jul 2026.