As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a DEI Specialist III in the United States is $92,680 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.
However, a DEI 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
Smart Recruiting
A DEI 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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a DEI 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Diversity Compliance and Analysis Specialist I | 0-2 years | $62,692 |
| Diversity Compliance and Analysis Specialist II | 2-4 years | $80,198 |
| DEI Specialist III | 4-7 years | $92,690 |
| Diversity Compliance and Analysis Specialist IV | 7+ years | $123,353 |
| Diversity Equity & Inclusion Specialist V | 7-10 years | $151,068 |
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 DEI Specialist IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Initiative | 10.9% |
| Talent Acquisition | 2.42% |
| Community Engagement | 0.94% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Insight
|
$100,094 |
8%
|
|
RFP
|
$99,168 |
7%
|
|
Influencing
|
$99,168 |
7%
|
|
Partnering
|
$97,314 |
5%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$96,387 |
4%
|
|
Organizational Development
|
$96,387 |
4%
|
DEI Specialist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $103,750. While startup companies pay approximate $87,770.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $87,770 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $92,827 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $100,189 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $103,750 |
For DEI Specialist III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, DEI Specialist positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view DEI Specialist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $111,216 | $53.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $111,216 | $53.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $106,582 | $51.0 | 15% |
| Financial Services | $106,582 | $51.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $101,948 | $49.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many DEI Specialist IIIs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a DEI Specialist III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $94,945 and $102,058).
DEI Specialist III Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 3.3% |
| High School | 3.3% |
| Associates | 4.3% |
| Bachelors | 44.6% |
| Masters | 33.7% |
| Doctorate | 14.1% |
Understanding how a DEI 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 DEI Specialist III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Diversity Compliance and Analysis Specialist IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $123,400 - a projected growth of 33% over your current level.
Salaries for a DEI Specialist III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $92,727 in 2023 to around $91,389 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of DEI Specialist III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $92,727 |
| 2024 | $91,990 |
| 2025 | $91,389 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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 DEI Specialist III and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current DEI 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.
The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for DEI Specialist III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Based on the salary data for a DEI Specialist, the minimum salary is $89,915, the mid-range salary is $101,510, and the maximum salary is $115,696. This indicates that DEI roles generally offer competitive compensation, significantly higher than the average hourly pay reported for similar positions in the United States.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion specialists typically hold a bachelor's degree in a human resources-related field. The salary for this role ranges from $89,915 to $115,696, with a median salary of $101,510, reflecting the importance of this position in fostering inclusive workplaces.
In California, the salary for a DEI Specialist ranges from $89,915 to $115,696, with a midpoint of $101,510. While this data reflects the specialist level, salaries for higher positions like a VP of DEI can be significantly higher, often exceeding $200,000 depending on experience and organization size.
Yes, DEI is a growing field. As organizations increasingly prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, the demand for DEI Specialists is on the rise. With salaries ranging from $89,915 to $115,696, this role offers competitive compensation, reflecting its importance in fostering inclusive workplaces.
DEI consultants generally earn between $89,915 and $115,696 annually, with a mid-salary of $101,510. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $43 to $56, depending on experience and expertise. Rates may vary based on project scope and client needs.
To become a DEI leader, one must demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusiveness and fairness. This involves being aware of biases and treating all team members with respect, recognizing their unique contributions. Continuous education on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices is essential. In this role, salaries typically range from $89,915 to $115,696, reflecting the importance of this position in fostering a positive workplace culture.
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:
