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Accounts Payable Processor III Salary in the United States

How much does an Accounts Payable Processor III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounts Payable Processor III in the United States is $55,610 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, an Accounts Payable Processor III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,334
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,270 to $60,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,319
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Accounts Payable Processor III Salaries

An Accounts Payable Processor III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Accounts Payable Processor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounts Payable Processor III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Accounts Payable Coordinator I (0-1 years): $44,854
  • AP Clerk Intermediate (1-3 years): $50,156
  • Accounts Payable Processor III (3-5 years): $55,601
  • AP Operations Supervisor (5+ years): $73,033
  • AP Operations Senior Supervisor (5+ years): $89,338
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Accounts Payable Coordinator I0-1 years$44,854
AP Clerk Intermediate1-3 years$50,156
Accounts Payable Processor III3-5 years$55,601
AP Operations Supervisor5+ years$73,033
AP Operations Senior Supervisor5+ years$89,338
View as Graph

How Do Accounts Payable Processor III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Accounts Payable Processor IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $61,570.
  • California: $61,330.
  • Massachusetts: $60,520.

Top Paying Cities for Accounts Payable Processor IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $70,130
  • San Francisco: $69,370
  • Oakland: $67,900

What Skills Can Increase an Accounts Payable Processor III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 2.64% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • General Ledger (Mentioned in 2.26% Job Postings): Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
  • Purchasing (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): Purchasing refers to a business or organization attempting to acquire goods or services to accomplish its goals. Although there are several organizations that attempt to set standards in the purchasing process, processes can vary greatly between organizations. Typically the word “purchasing” is not used interchangeably with the word “procurement”, since procurement typically includes expediting, supplier quality, and transportation and logistics (T&L) in addition to purchasing.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 2.64%
General Ledger 2.26%
Purchasing 1.2%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Accounts Payable Processor III's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Concur: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $58,391
5%
Collaboration $58,391
5%
Concur $57,834
4%
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Accounts Payable Processor III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Accounts Payable Processor III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $62,146. While startup companies pay approximate $52,570.

Accounts Payable Processor III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $52,570
Growth Stage 51~500 $55,598
Established 501~5000 $60,010
Enterprise 5000+ $62,146

Accounts Payable Processor III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounts Payable Processor III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Accounts Payable Processor positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounts Payable Processor III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounts Payable Processor III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$66,732$32.020%
Biotechnology$66,732$32.020%
Energy & Utilities$66,732$32.020%
Financial Services$66,732$32.020%
Pharmaceuticals$66,732$32.020%

Accounts Payable Processor III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accounts Payable Processor III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$51,270
Average $55,610/year
$60,700
$4,273
Average $4,634/month
$5,058
$986
Average $1,069/week
$1,167
$25
Average $27/hour
$29
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $60,700 $5,058 $1,167 $29
Average $55,610 $4,634 $1,069 $27
25th Percentile $51,270 $4,273 $986 $25

Accounts Payable Processor III Salary Growth & Career Path

Accounts Payable Processor III

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Advancement

For an Accounts Payable Processor III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the AP Operations Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $73,100 - a projected growth of 31% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Accounts Payable Processor III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Accounts Payable Processor III

Here are companies hiring for Accounts Payable Processor III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Accounts Payable Processor III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Accounts Payable Processor III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Accounts Payable Processor III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does a Level 3 earn in USA?

As of now, the salary for an Accounts Payable Processor in the USA ranges from $52,660 to $64,510 annually, with a midpoint of $57,940. This translates to approximately $25.29 to $31.00 per hour, or $1,055 to $1,338 per week.

3. What is a level 3 pay grade?

A Level 3 pay grade typically offers a salary range that can vary by location and industry. For an Accounts Payable Processor, the salary ranges from a minimum of $52,660 to a maximum of $64,510, with a midpoint of $57,940. This suggests that while Level 3 positions may offer competitive salaries, they can be lower than some other roles in different sectors.

4. What is the highest salary in accounts payable?

The highest salary for an Accounts Payable Processor is $64,510. In comparison, cities near India report varying salaries, with Delhi at ₹4,86,654, Noida at ₹4,73,423, and Gurgaon at ₹4,28,748. These figures highlight the competitive nature of salaries in the accounts payable field across different locations.

5. What is the next step after accounts payable specialist?

Career Growth: After an Accounts Payable Processor, professionals can advance to roles like AR/AP Manager, Finance Manager, Controller, or even Chief Financial Officer (CFO). These positions typically offer salaries ranging from $52,660 to $64,510, depending on experience and responsibilities. Success in these roles requires both technical expertise and strategic financial decision-making skills.

6. Is an AP specialist an accountant?

An accounts payable specialist is responsible for managing financial records and requires bookkeeping and accounting skills. Their duties include preparing bills, invoices, and financial statements. The salary for this role typically ranges from $52,660 to $64,510, with a midpoint of $57,940, reflecting the importance of their financial management expertise.

7. How much do accounts payable clerks make in the US?

Accounts Payable Processors in the US earn between $52,660 and $64,510 annually, with a median salary of approximately $57,940. These figures reflect the range of salaries based on industry data, providing a clear picture of potential earnings in this role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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