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Applications Programmer III Salary in the United States

How much does an Applications Programmer III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Applications Programmer III in the United States is $122,530 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $141,806
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $113,048 to $132,620
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104,415
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Applications Programmer III Salaries

An Applications Programmer 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Applications Programmer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Applications Programmer 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:

  • Applications Programmer I (0-2 years): $72,916
  • Applications Programmer II (2-4 years): $95,213
  • Applications Programmer III (4-7 years): $122,530
  • Applications Programmer IV (7+ years): $143,608
  • Applications Programmer V (7-10 years): $166,905
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Applications Programmer I0-2 years$72,916
Applications Programmer II2-4 years$95,213
Applications Programmer III4-7 years$122,530
Applications Programmer IV7+ years$143,608
Applications Programmer V7-10 years$166,905
View as Graph

How Do Applications Programmer IIIs 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 Applications Programmer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $135,665.
  • California: $135,151.
  • Massachusetts: $133,349.

Top Paying Cities for Applications Programmer III

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: $154,547
  • San Francisco: $152,855
  • Oakland: $149,634

What Skills Can Increase an Applications Programmer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.29% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Application Development (Mentioned in 2.96% Job Postings): Application development may refer to: Mobile application development ("app development") or the process of developing desktop application software. Mobile app development is the act or process by which a mobile app is developed for mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, enterprise digital assistants or mobile phones. These applications can be pre-installed on phones during manufacturing platforms, or delivered as web applications using server-side or client-side processing (e.g., JavaScript) to provide an "application-like" experience within a Web browser.
  • HTML (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): A computer language that used in creating, updating and maintaining text, graphics and links in a website.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.29%
Application Development 2.96%
HTML 1.79%
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 Applications Programmer III's salary.

  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 1%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Python $124,981
2%
Presentation $124,981
2%
Agile $123,755
1%
Get Latest Data

Applications Programmer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Applications Programmer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $137,165. While startup companies pay approximate $116,039.

Applications Programmer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $116,039
Growth Stage 51~500 $122,725
Established 501~5000 $132,457
Enterprise 5000+ $137,165

Applications Programmer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Applications Programmer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Applications Programmer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Applications Programmer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Applications Programmer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$159,289$77.030%
Financial Services$147,036$71.020%
Pharmaceuticals$140,910$68.015%
Biotechnology$134,783$65.010%
Internet$134,783$65.010%

How Education impacts an Applications Programmer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Applications Programmer III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Applications Programmer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $113,968 and $120,793.

Applications Programmer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Applications Programmer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 4.0%
Associates 10.1%
Bachelors 57.9%
Masters 25.3%
Doctorate 0.8%
View as Graph

Applications Programmer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Applications Programmer 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 August 01, 2026
$113,048
Average $122,530/year
$132,620
$9,421
Average $10,211/month
$11,052
$2,174
Average $2,356/week
$2,550
$54
Average $59/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $132,620 $11,052 $2,550 $64
Average $122,530 $10,211 $2,356 $59
25th Percentile $113,048 $9,421 $2,174 $54

Applications Programmer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Applications Programmer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Applications Programmer III, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Applications Programmer IV $143,608 17%
Software Architect IV $145,696 19%
Backend Developer IV $145,416 19%
Full Stack Developer IV $145,416 19%

Most common benefits for Applications Programmer III

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

Common company salaries for Applications Programmer III

Here are companies hiring for Applications Programmer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Applications Programmer III

1. Where can an Applications Programmer III earn the most?

An Applications Programmer III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Applications Programmer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Applications Programmer III is $154,547.

2. What is the highest pay for Applications Programmer III?

The highest pay for Applications Programmer III is $141,806.

3. What is the lowest pay for Applications Programmer III?

The lowest pay for Applications Programmer III is $104,415.

4. What are the responsibilities of Applications Programmer III?

Performs coding, debugging, testing, configuration, and analysis to develop or modify application programs. Conducts detailed analysis of functional and technical requirements needed to create specifications. Utilizes programming, scripting, or database language to produce efficient code. Performs unit testing of applications. Produces application documentation, including process and data flow diagrams. Provides support for implementing, enhancing, integrating, and maintaining applications. May require a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a project leader or manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4 -7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Applications Programmer III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Applications Programmer III roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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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