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Hourly Wage for General Engineer III Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for General Engineer III?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a General Engineer III in the United States is $53, which translates to an annual salary of about $110,790.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $60 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50 to $57 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $50 10% $46 90% $60 75% $57 $53 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

General Engineer III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $117,790 $9,816 $2,265 $57
Average $110,790 $9,233 $2,131 $53
25th Percentile $103,290 $8,608 $1,986 $50
Check out General Engineer III Job Openings in the United States
Technical Services Engineer III

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Key Factors That Influence General Engineer III Salaries

A General 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 General Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General 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:

  • Entry Engineer (0-2 years): $79,660
  • Intermediate Engineer (2-4 years): $92,122
  • General Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,735
  • Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead (7+ years): $140,155
  • Engineer - Expert/Consultant (7-10 years): $161,827
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Engineer0-2 years$79,660
Intermediate Engineer2-4 years$92,122
General Engineer III4-7 years$110,735
Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead7+ years$140,155
Engineer - Expert/Consultant7-10 years$161,827
$79,660 Entry Eng...
$92,122 Intermedi...
$110,735 General E...
$140,155 Engineer ...
$161,827 Engineer ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for General 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: $139,690
  • San Francisco: $138,190
  • Oakland: $135,290

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.08% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • API (Mentioned in 2.09% Job Postings): An application programming interface is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software.
  • Java (Mentioned in 1.71% Job Postings): Using Java in the development and maintenance of application programs and systems.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.08%
API 2.09%
Java 1.71%
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 General Engineer III's salary.
  • DevOps: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • JavaScript: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Test Automation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
DevOps
$121,869
10%
JavaScript
$119,653
8%
Test Automation
$118,545
7%
AWS
$118,545
7%
Java
$117,437
6%
Team Development
$117,437
6%
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General Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

General Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $124,023. While startup companies pay approximate $104,921.

General Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$104,921
Growth Stage51~500$110,966
Established501~5000$119,766
Enterprise5000+$124,023

General Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, General Engineer positions in Financial Services or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$155,106$75.040%
Aerospace & Defense$144,027$69.030%
Media$135,164$65.022%
Healthcare$132,948$64.020%
Retail & Wholesale$128,516$62.016%

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

Understanding how a General 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for General Engineer III

Salaries for a General Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $117,909 in 2023 to around $116,792 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of General Engineer III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of General Engineer III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$117,909
2024
$118,066
2025
$116,792
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $117,909
2024 $118,066
2025 $116,792
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for General Engineer III

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for General Engineer III

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

Find Your Next General Engineer III Job

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

United States
  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full Bene... more

    12 Days Ago

  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    17 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    17 Days Ago

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FAQ about General Engineer III

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

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for General Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. Do doctors or engineers make more money?

While specialist doctors may start with salaries significantly higher than engineers, the average salary for a General Engineer ranges from $102,190 to $121,590. Engineers enjoy a more favorable financial position from ages 22 to 42, only trailing behind doctors in lifetime earnings after age 43. Thus, engineers can have a strong financial advantage early in their careers.

3. What level is engineer III?

Engineer III is typically considered a mid-level position. Professionals at this level can work independently and often assist junior engineers with tasks and troubleshooting. They usually have three to six years of experience. In terms of salary, Engineer III positions generally range from $102,190 to $121,590, with a mid-salary of $111,390.

4. What career makes 200k a year?

While many high-paying careers exist, most jobs in the General Engineer field typically offer salaries ranging from $102,190 to $121,590 annually. To earn over $200k, you may need to pursue advanced roles or additional qualifications in specialized engineering sectors or management positions.

5. Which engineering is the richest?

While various engineering fields offer lucrative salaries, General Engineers have a competitive salary range. The minimum salary is $102,190, the mid-salary is $111,390, and the maximum salary reaches $121,590. However, fields like Petroleum Engineering often surpass these figures, with median salaries around $137,322, making them some of the highest-paying engineering careers.

6. How much does an engineer III make?

In California, the salary for an Engineer III typically ranges from $102,190 to $121,590, with a mid-point salary of $111,390. This reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the role.

7. What is a Level 3 position?

EXPERIENCED (LEVEL 3): An experienced professional who effectively applies theory in practice, demonstrating a deep understanding of their field. This role involves independently handling a full range of responsibilities, possessing extensive job knowledge, and analyzing diverse problems. The salary for this position ranges from $102,190 to $121,590, with a midpoint of $111,390.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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