Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Electrical Test Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does an Electrical Test Engineer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electrical Test Engineer III in the United States is $120,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,748
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,790 to $130,190
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,506
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Electrical Test Engineer III Salaries

An Electrical Test 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Electrical Test Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Electrical Test 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:

  • EE I (0-2 years): $81,903
  • EE II (2-4 years): $99,277
  • Electrical Test Engineer III (4-7 years): $120,758
  • EE IV (7+ years): $143,785
  • EE V (7-10 years): $166,797
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
EE I0-2 years$81,903
EE II2-4 years$99,277
Electrical Test Engineer III4-7 years$120,758
EE IV7+ years$143,785
EE V7-10 years$166,797
View as Graph

How Do Electrical Test 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 Electrical Test Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $133,790.
  • California: $133,190.
  • Massachusetts: $131,490.

Top Paying Cities for Electrical Test 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: $152,390
  • San Francisco: $150,690
  • Oakland: $147,490

What Skills Can Increase an Electrical Test Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.98% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 2.94% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 1.59% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.98%
Installation 2.94%
CAD 1.59%
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 Electrical Test Engineer III's salary.

  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Circuit Design: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • PCB Design: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prototyping $125,622
4%
Circuit Design $124,414
3%
PCB Design $124,414
3%
Get Latest Data

Electrical Test Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Electrical Test Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $134,988. While startup companies pay approximate $114,186.

Electrical Test Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $114,186
Growth Stage 51~500 $120,763
Established 501~5000 $130,348
Enterprise 5000+ $134,988

Electrical Test Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Electrical Test Engineer 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 Energy & Utilities and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Electrical Test Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electrical Test Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Electrical Test Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$144,948$70.020%
Healthcare$138,908$67.015%
Biotechnology$132,869$64.010%
Insurance$132,869$64.010%
Pharmaceuticals$132,869$64.010%

How Education impacts an Electrical Test Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Electrical Test Engineer 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 an Electrical Test Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $111,642 and $116,868).

Electrical Test Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Electrical Test Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 0.3%
Associates 1.2%
Bachelors 43.2%
Masters 41.0%
Doctorate 14.2%
View as Graph

Electrical Test Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Electrical Test 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
$112,790
Average $120,790/year
$130,190
$9,399
Average $10,066/month
$10,849
$2,169
Average $2,323/week
$2,504
$54
Average $58/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $130,190 $10,849 $2,504 $63
Average $120,790 $10,066 $2,323 $58
25th Percentile $112,790 $9,399 $2,169 $54

Electrical Test Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Electrical Test Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Electrical Test 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
Digital Signal Processing Engineer IV $147,100 22%
EE IV $143,800 19%
Electronics Design Engineer IV $143,800 19%
RF Engineer IV $143,800 19%

Most common benefits for Electrical Test Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Electrical Test Engineer III

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

Find Your Next Electrical Test Engineer III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Electrical Test Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Electrical Test Engineer III

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

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Electrical Test Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Do test engineers make good money?

Yes, test engineers can earn a good salary. Based on recent data, Electrical Test Engineers have a salary range from $107,390 to $126,890, with a mid-salary of $116,790. This indicates that they are well-compensated compared to the national median salary of $101,795 for test engineers in the U.S.

3. What is the highest paid engineer in us?

The highest-paid engineering careers in the U.S. include Petroleum Engineers with a median annual salary of $137,322 and Aerospace Engineers at $118,602. Electrical Test Engineers earn between $107,390 and $126,890, with a mid-salary of $116,790, making them among the well-compensated engineering roles.

4. How much do electrical inspectors make in the US?

The estimated total pay for an Electrical Test Engineer in the US ranges from $107,390 to $126,890 per year, with a mid-salary of approximately $116,790. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field, highlighting the demand for skilled electrical engineers.

5. What is an electrical engineer III?

An Electrical Engineer III is an experienced professional responsible for leading complex maintenance engineering functions, equipment repair, and troubleshooting activities on assigned projects. The salary for this role typically ranges from $107,390 to $126,890, with a midpoint of $116,790, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities involved in the position.

6. What is the highest paid electrical engineer?

The highest paid electrical engineer roles typically include positions like Electrical Test Engineer, with salaries ranging from $107,390 to $126,890. Other high-paying titles include Instrumentation Engineer, with a salary range of $71,776 to $142,610, and Hardware Design Engineer, among others. These roles reflect the diverse opportunities within the electrical engineering field.

7. Can an engineer make 300k?

An Electrical Test Engineer typically earns between $107,390 and $126,890 annually, with a mid-salary of $116,790. While it's possible for some specialized engineers to reach higher salaries, the standard range for this role does not typically reach $300k.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job