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Cloud Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Cloud Engineer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cloud Engineer III in the United States is $122,430 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

However, a Cloud Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,350
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,110 to $131,810
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,535
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cloud Engineer III Salaries

A Cloud Engineer 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 Cloud Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cloud Engineer 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:

  • Cloud Computing Analyst I (0-2 years): $81,355
  • Cloud Computing Analyst II (2-4 years): $107,331
  • Cloud Engineer III (4-7 years): $122,425
  • Cloud Computing Analyst IV (7+ years): $147,422
  • Cloud Computing Analyst V (7-10 years): $168,114
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cloud Computing Analyst I0-2 years$81,355
Cloud Computing Analyst II2-4 years$107,331
Cloud Engineer III4-7 years$122,425
Cloud Computing Analyst IV7+ years$147,422
Cloud Computing Analyst V7-10 years$168,114
View as Graph

How Do Cloud Engineer 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 Cloud Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $135,550.
  • California: $135,040.
  • Massachusetts: $133,240.

Top Paying Cities for Cloud Engineer 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: $154,420
  • San Francisco: $152,730
  • Oakland: $149,510

What Skills Can Increase a Cloud Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Networking (Mentioned in 2.45% Job Postings): Ability to maintain, build and expand a personal and business contact list to grow one's career and business opportunities.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 2.55% Job Postings): Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
  • Amazon Web Services (Mentioned in 1.73% Job Postings): AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a comprehensive, evolving cloud computing platform provided by Amazon. It offers several on-demand operations like compute power, database storage, content delivery, etc. to help corporates scale and grow.
Skills Demand Percentage
Networking 2.45%
Agile 2.55%
Amazon Web Services 1.73%
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 a Cloud Engineer III's salary.

  • Critical Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Critical Thinking $126,103
3%
Presentation $124,879
2%
Risk Management $124,879
2%
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Cloud Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cloud Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $136,821. While startup companies pay approximate $115,736.

Cloud Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $115,736
Growth Stage 51~500 $122,403
Established 501~5000 $132,118
Enterprise 5000+ $136,821

Cloud Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cloud Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Cloud Engineer positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cloud Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Cloud Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$183,645$88.050%

Cloud Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cloud Engineer 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
$114,110
Average $122,430/year
$131,810
$9,509
Average $10,203/month
$10,984
$2,194
Average $2,354/week
$2,535
$55
Average $59/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $131,810 $10,984 $2,535 $63
Average $122,430 $10,203 $2,354 $59
25th Percentile $114,110 $9,509 $2,194 $55

Cloud Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Cloud Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Cloud Engineer 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
Information Systems Architect IV $140,300 15%
Cloud Computing Analyst IV $147,500 20%
Business Infrastructure Architect IV $144,390 18%
IT Infrastructure Operations Supervisor $105,200 -14%

Most common benefits for Cloud Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Cloud Engineer III

Here are companies hiring for Cloud Engineer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cloud Engineer III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Cloud Engineer III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Cloud Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. Which US engineer has highest salary?

The highest salary for a Cloud Engineer ranges from $116,420 to $141,970, with a median salary of $128,400. This positions Cloud Engineers among the top earners in the engineering field, surpassing many other specialties such as Petroleum and Aerospace Engineers.

3. What is Tier 3 salary at Amazon?

The salary for a Cloud Engineer at Amazon ranges from $116,420 to $141,970 annually, with a midpoint of $128,400. This reflects the competitive compensation for technical roles in the cloud sector, significantly higher than the average Tier 3 salary of $77,129.

4. How much does an Amazon l3 make in the US?

An Amazon L3 Cloud Engineer in the US typically earns between $116,420 and $141,970 annually, with a median salary of around $128,400. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the role.

5. How much does a 3 year Cloud Engineer make?

A Cloud Engineer with 3 years of experience typically earns between $116,420 and $141,970 annually, with a median salary around $128,400. This range reflects the varying levels of expertise and responsibilities within the role.

6. What is the salary of a cloud engineer level 3?

The estimated salary for a Cloud Engineer Level 3 ranges from $116,420 to $141,970 per year, with a midpoint average of $128,400. These figures reflect the typical compensation for this role based on current salary data.

7. Do cloud engineers get paid well?

Cloud engineers are well-compensated, with salaries ranging from $116,420 to $141,970 annually. The average salary is approximately $128,400, reflecting a strong demand for their skills in the tech industry. This competitive pay highlights the value of cloud engineering expertise in today's job market.

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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