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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Engineer III in California is $122,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
However, a General Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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General Engineer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $129,890 | $10,824 | $2,498 | $62 |
| Average | $122,190 | $10,183 | $2,350 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,990 | $9,499 | $2,192 | $55 |
Telesolv Consulting - San Francisco, CA
VSolvit - Norco, CA
Olgoonik Corporation - San Diego, CA
TeleSolv Consulting - San Francisco, CA
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Engineer | 0-2 years | $87,865 |
| Intermediate Engineer | 2-4 years | $101,611 |
| General Engineer III | 4-7 years | $122,141 |
| Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead | 7+ years | $154,591 |
| Engineer - Expert/Consultant | 7-10 years | $178,495 |
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 General Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
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 $136,785. While startup companies pay approximate $115,717.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $115,717 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $122,384 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $132,090 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $136,785 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $171,066 | $82.0 | 40% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $158,847 | $76.0 | 30% |
| Media | $149,072 | $72.0 | 22% |
| Healthcare | $146,628 | $70.0 | 20% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $141,740 | $68.0 | 16% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $129,890 | $10,824 | $2,498 | $62 |
| Average | $122,190 | $10,183 | $2,350 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,990 | $9,499 | $2,192 | $55 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a General 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation Engineer IV | $154,600 | 27% |
| Aerospace Aviation Engineer IV | $154,590 | 27% |
| Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead | $154,600 | 27% |
| GNC Engineer IV | $149,500 | 22% |
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.
Telesolv Consulting
Sacramento, CA
Telesolv Consulting | Sacramento, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. TeleSolv Consulting. is seeking a detail‑oriented. General Clerk III. enabling you to have a Tier 4 Public T... more
8 Days Ago
SODEXO
Twentynine Palms, CA
SODEXO | Twentynine Palms, CA
SCA General Clerk III Location:29 Palms Marine Base - 43835201 Workdays/shifts:Varying shifts, days/hours (open availability preferred).More details will b... more
9 Days Ago
VSolvit LLC
Corona, CA
VSolvit LLC | Corona, CA
General Clerk III. VSolvit has an immediate opening for a General Clerk III to support our Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona Division customer in ... more
9 Days Ago
Saalex
Camarillo, CA
Saalex | Camarillo, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Saalex. is seeking an. General Clerk III. in. Camarillo, CA. Saalex Corp., an Engineering and Information Technology Serv... more
9 Days Ago
TeleSolv Consulting
San Francisco, CA
TeleSolv Consulting | San Francisco, CA
General Clerk III - 384317. TeleSolv Consulting has an immediate opportunity to work with the Federal Government as a General Clerk III enabling you to hav... more
10 Days Ago
TeleSolv Consulting
Los Angeles, CA
TeleSolv Consulting | Los Angeles, CA
General Clerk III - 529013. TeleSolv Consulting has an immediate opportunity to work with the Federal Government as a General Clerk III enabling you to hav... more
10 Days Ago
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