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Firmware Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Firmware Engineer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Firmware Engineer III in the United States is $116,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $129,564
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,600 to $123,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $101,863

Key Factors That Influence Firmware Engineer III Salaries

A Firmware 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Firmware Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Firmware 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:

  • Firmware Engineer I (0-2 years): $80,030
  • Firmware Engineer II (2-4 years): $94,771
  • Firmware Engineer III (4-7 years): $115,987
  • Firmware Engineer IV (7+ years): $141,502
  • Firmware Engineer V (7-10 years): $160,537
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Firmware Engineer I0-2 years$80,030
Firmware Engineer II2-4 years$94,771
Firmware Engineer III4-7 years$115,987
Firmware Engineer IV7+ years$141,502
Firmware Engineer V7-10 years$160,537

Top Paying Cities for Firmware 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: $146,300
  • San Francisco: $144,700
  • Oakland: $141,700

What Skills Can Increase a Firmware Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Integrity (Mentioned in 4.17% Job Postings): Is about having strong principles and values, which you demonstrate through your conduct in the work environment. A common integrity definition states that people with integrity do the right thing even when nobody is watching.
  • Open Source (Mentioned in 4.33% Job Postings): Open source is a term that originally referred to open source software (OSS). Open source software is code that is designed to be publicly accessible—anyone can see, modify, and distribute the code as they see fit
  • Machine Learning (Mentioned in 2.49% Job Postings): Using mathematical models, data, and algorithms to help a computer learn without direct instruction.
Skills Demand Percentage
Integrity 4.17%
Open Source 4.33%
Machine Learning 2.49%

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 a Firmware Engineer III's salary.

  • Relationship Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Relationship Management $121,800
5%
Insight $119,480
3%
Machine Learning $119,480
3%

Firmware Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Firmware Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $129,635. While startup companies pay approximate $109,658.

Firmware Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $109,658
Growth Stage 51~500 $115,974
Established 501~5000 $125,179
Enterprise 5000+ $129,635

Firmware Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Firmware Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Chemicals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Firmware Engineer positions in Telecom or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Firmware Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Firmware Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Chemicals$145,000$70.025%
Aerospace & Defense$139,200$67.020%
Energy & Utilities$136,880$66.018%
Business Services$133,400$64.015%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$129,920$62.012%

Firmware Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Firmware 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
$108,600
Average $116,000/year
$123,100
$9,050
Average $9,667/month
$10,258
$2,088
Average $2,231/week
$2,367
$52
Average $56/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $123,100 $10,258 $2,367 $59
Average $116,000 $9,667 $2,231 $56
25th Percentile $108,600 $9,050 $2,088 $52

Firmware Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Firmware Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Firmware Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $141,600 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Firmware Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Firmware Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Firmware Engineer III

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

The Chemicals industry offers the highest average compensation for Firmware Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. What engineering jobs pay 200k a year?

Engineering jobs that pay around $200k a year typically include specialized roles such as Senior Firmware Engineer, Lead Software Engineer, and Principal Mechanical Engineer. However, the average salary for a Firmware Engineer ranges from $112,300 to $126,000, with a midpoint of $118,300, indicating that reaching $200k may require advanced experience or additional skills.

3. What does a software engineer III do?

Level three engineers, or mid-level firmware engineers, build on their foundational knowledge and grasp best practices for coding and software development. They are proficient in various coding languages and adept with development tools. The salary range for this position is between $112,300 and $126,000, with a mid-point salary of $118,300.

4. How much does a software engineer III make at JP Morgan?

A Firmware Engineer's salary typically ranges from $112,300 to $126,000 annually, with a mid-salary of $118,300. This range reflects the compensation for professionals in this field, depending on experience and expertise.

5. What is a good salary for an engineer in USA?

A good salary for a Firmware Engineer in the USA typically ranges from $112,300 to $126,000 annually, with a mid-salary of $118,300. This range reflects the competitive nature of the field, ensuring that skilled engineers are compensated fairly for their expertise and contributions.

6. Are firmware engineers in demand?

Yes, firmware engineers are in high demand due to the growing need for embedded systems in various industries. With a competitive salary range from $112,300 to $126,000, and a median salary of $118,300, professionals in this field can expect attractive compensation as they contribute to innovative technology solutions.

7. What's the highest paid software engineer?

The highest paid firmware engineer can expect a maximum salary of $126,000. The salary range for this position typically starts at a minimum of $112,300, with a mid-level salary around $118,300. This reflects the competitive nature of the field and the demand for skilled professionals.

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.)

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