As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Engineering Specialist III in the United States is $104,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
However, a Data Engineering Specialist III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI-Powered Talent
A Data Engineering 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Data Engineering 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Data Engineering Specialist I | 0-2 years | $77,656 |
| Data Engineering Specialist II | 2-4 years | $89,377 |
| Data Engineering Specialist III | 4-7 years | $104,393 |
| Data Engineering Specialist IV | 7+ years | $121,227 |
| Data Engineering Specialist V | 7-10 years | $157,936 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Data Engineering Specialist IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Data Engineering Specialist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $116,771. While startup companies pay approximate $98,753.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $98,753 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $104,447 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $112,764 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $116,771 |
For Data Engineering Specialist 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 Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Data Engineering Specialist positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Engineering Specialist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $125,280 | $60.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Data Engineering 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 July 01, 2026For a Data Engineering Specialist III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Data Engineering Specialist IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $121,300 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Data Engineering Specialist III and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Data Engineering Specialist III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
