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Electronics Design Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does an Electronics Design Engineer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electronics Design Engineer III in the United States is $120,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,758
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,800 to $130,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,516

Key Factors That Influence Electronics Design Engineer III Salaries

An Electronics Design 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 Electronics Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Electronics Design 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:

  • Electronics Design Engineer I (0-2 years): $82,085
  • Electronics Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $99,499
  • Electronics Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $120,758
  • Electronics Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $143,785
  • Electronics Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $169,234
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Electronics Design Engineer I0-2 years$82,085
Electronics Design Engineer II2-4 years$99,499
Electronics Design Engineer III4-7 years$120,758
Electronics Design Engineer IV7+ years$143,785
Electronics Design Engineer V7-10 years$169,234

Top Paying Cities for Electronics Design 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: $152,400
  • San Francisco: $150,700
  • Oakland: $147,500

What Skills Can Increase an Electronics Design Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 14.14% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 4.47% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • Electrical Engineering (Mentioned in 2% Job Postings): Electrical engineering is a technical discipline concerned with the study, design and application of equipment, devices and systems which use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. It emerged as an identified activity in the latter half of the 19th century after commercialization of the electric telegraph, the telephone, and electrical power generation, distribution and use. Electrical engineering is now divided into a wide range of fields including, computer engineering, power engineering, telecommunications, radio-frequency engineering, signal processing, instrumentation, and electronics. Many of these disciplines overlap with other engineering branches, spanning a huge number of specializations including hardware engineering, power electronics, electromagnetics and waves, microwave engineering, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, renewable energies, mechatronics, and electrical materials science. See glossary of electrical and electronics engineering.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 14.14%
Calibration 4.47%
Electrical Engineering 2%

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 Electronics Design Engineer III's salary.

  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Electrical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Decision Making $126,840
5%
Flexibility $125,632
4%
Electrical Engineering $125,632
4%

Electronics Design Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Electronics Design Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $134,999. While startup companies pay approximate $114,195.

Electronics Design Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $114,195
Growth Stage 51~500 $120,773
Established 501~5000 $130,359
Enterprise 5000+ $134,999

Electronics Design Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Electronics Design Engineer 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 Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Electronics Design Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electronics Design Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Electronics Design Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$151,000$73.025%
Energy & Utilities$144,960$70.020%
Internet$144,960$70.020%
Construction$138,920$67.015%
Pharmaceuticals$138,920$67.015%

How Education impacts an Electronics Design Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Electronics Design 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 Electronics Design Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $114,682 and $121,651).

Electronics Design Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Electronics Design Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.9%
High School 2.9%
Associates 3.9%
Bachelors 36.3%
Masters 50.0%
Doctorate 6.9%

Electronics Design Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Electronics Design 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
$112,800
Average $120,800/year
$130,200
$9,400
Average $10,067/month
$10,850
$2,169
Average $2,323/week
$2,504
$54
Average $58/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $130,200 $10,850 $2,504 $63
Average $120,800 $10,067 $2,323 $58
25th Percentile $112,800 $9,400 $2,169 $54

Electronics Design Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Electronics Design 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.

Electronics Design Engineer III Salary Growth and Career Path
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 Electronics Design Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Electronics Design Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Electronics Design Engineer III

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Electronics Design Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much does an e 3 make?

An Electronics Design Engineer typically earns between $108,500 and $133,900, with a mid-salary of $121,300. In contrast, an active-duty Private First Class (E3) makes approximately $28,530 to $32,162.40, highlighting the significant salary difference between military ranks and engineering positions.

3. Can engineers make 100k a year?

Earning $100k a year as an engineer is quite common, especially in fields like electronics design. With a minimum salary of $108,500, it's clear that skilled professionals in this area can easily surpass that threshold. If you're not reaching that level, it may be time to assess your skills or negotiation tactics.

4. Which US engineer has highest salary?

The average annual salary for an Electronics Design Engineer in the US ranges from $108,500 to $133,900, with a mid-salary of $121,300. While this is a competitive salary, it is lower than that of a Nuclear Engineer, which averages $255,394, making Nuclear Engineering the highest paying engineering job of 2024.

5. Is a design engineer in high demand?

Yes, design engineers are in high demand, particularly in the electronics sector. With a salary range from $108,500 to $133,900, the role is attractive as industries continue to expand. This demand is driven by advancements in technology and the need for innovative solutions in various applications.

6. Is Electronics Engineering in demand in USA?

Yes, Electronics Engineering is in demand in the USA. The overall employment of electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow by 7% from 2020 to 2030, with about 22,700 job openings annually. Salaries for Electronics Design Engineers range from a minimum of $108,500 to a maximum of $133,900, with a mid-salary of $121,300, reflecting strong demand in the field.

7. Which design degree pays the most?

Among design degrees, Electronics Design Engineering stands out with a competitive salary range. The minimum salary is $108,500, the mid-range salary is $121,300, and the maximum salary can reach $133,900. This positions it as one of the highest-paying fields in the design industry, surpassing many other design disciplines.

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.

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