As of August 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:
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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 | $77,638 |
| Data Engineering Specialist II | 2-4 years | $89,363 |
| Data Engineering Specialist III | 4-7 years | $104,372 |
| Data Engineering Specialist IV | 7+ years | $121,214 |
| Data Engineering Specialist V | 7-10 years | $157,943 |
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 $116,870. While startup companies pay approximate $98,869.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $98,869 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $104,566 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $112,859 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $116,870 |
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 August 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.
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Engineering Specialist III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
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