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Accounts Payable Specialist III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounts Payable Specialist III in the United States is $68,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,118
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,600 to $75,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,136

Key Factors That Influence Accounts Payable Specialist III Salaries

An Accounts Payable Specialist 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 Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounts Payable Specialist 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 Specialist I (0-2 years): $55,296
  • AP Analyst II (2-4 years): $61,886
  • Accounts Payable Specialist III (4-7 years): $68,646
  • AP Operations Supervisor (7+ years): $73,033
  • AP Operations Senior Supervisor (7+ years): $89,338
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Accounts Payable Specialist I0-2 years$55,296
AP Analyst II2-4 years$61,886
Accounts Payable Specialist III4-7 years$68,646
AP Operations Supervisor7+ years$73,033
AP Operations Senior Supervisor7+ years$89,338

Top Paying Cities for Accounts Payable Specialist 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: $86,600
  • San Francisco: $85,700
  • Oakland: $83,900

Accounts Payable Specialist III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Accounts Payable Specialist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $76,775. While startup companies pay approximate $64,944.

Accounts Payable Specialist III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $64,944
Growth Stage 51~500 $68,685
Established 501~5000 $74,136
Enterprise 5000+ $76,775

Accounts Payable Specialist III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounts Payable Specialist III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 28% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Telecom and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 14% above the average. In contrast, Accounts Payable Specialist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounts Payable Specialist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounts Payable Specialist III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Telecom$78,318$38.014%
Construction$75,570$36.010%
Energy & Utilities$74,196$36.08%
Aerospace & Defense$72,135$35.05%
MFG Nondurable$71,448$34.04%

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

Understanding how an Accounts Payable Specialist 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
$61,600
Average $68,700/year
$75,200
$5,133
Average $5,725/month
$6,267
$1,185
Average $1,321/week
$1,446
$30
Average $33/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,200 $6,267 $1,446 $36
Average $68,700 $5,725 $1,321 $33
25th Percentile $61,600 $5,133 $1,185 $30

Accounts Payable Specialist III Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Accounts Payable Specialist 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 6% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Accounts Payable Specialist III

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

Common company salaries for Accounts Payable Specialist III

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

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FAQ about Accounts Payable Specialist III

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

The Telecom industry offers the highest average compensation for Accounts Payable Specialist III roles, with salaries approximately 14% above the market median.

2. Is accounts payable higher than Accounts Receivable?

If your accounts receivable balance is higher than your accounts payable balance, it indicates that more customers owe you money than you owe suppliers, leading to a healthier cash flow. For an Accounts Payable Specialist, salaries range from $63,500 to $86,700, with a midpoint of $73,900, reflecting the importance of managing outgoing cash effectively.

3. What is the role of accounts payable specialist III?

The role of an Accounts Payable Specialist III involves recording and processing payments for vendor invoices per internal accounting policies, overseeing payment schedules, and maintaining the accounts payable ledger. This position ensures accurate and timely payments, with a salary range from $63,500 to $86,700, averaging around $73,900.

4. What is accounts payable 3?

The accounts payable 3-way match is a process of verifying an invoice by comparing the information on the invoice, the purchase order, and the receiving report to ensure they match before issuing payment. Accounts Payable Specialists typically earn between $63,500 and $86,700, with a median salary of $73,900.

5. How much do accounts payable specialists make in the US?

Accounts Payable Specialists in the US earn between $63,500 and $86,700 annually, with a median salary of $73,900. This translates to an hourly wage ranging from approximately $30.57 to $41.67, depending on experience and location.

6. Is accounts payable stressful?

The role of an Accounts Payable Specialist can indeed be stressful, primarily due to the responsibility of ensuring timely payments of invoices. Missing a payment deadline may result in late fees, altered terms, or damaged vendor relationships. However, with a salary range of $63,500 to $86,700, the compensation reflects the importance and challenges of the position.

7. What is the difference between AP clerk and AP specialist?

Compared to an AP specialist, who typically earns between $63,500 and $86,700, an accounts payable clerk generally focuses on more routine tasks such as data entry, invoice processing, and organizing paperwork. The key difference lies in the level of experience, skills, and responsibilities, with specialists taking on more complex duties.

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.)

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