Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Engineer III in Illinois is $112,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
However, a General Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered Talent
General Engineer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $120,090 | $10,008 | $2,309 | $58 |
| Average | $112,890 | $9,408 | $2,171 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,290 | $8,774 | $2,025 | $51 |
wm - Schiller Park, IL
Waste Management - Schiller Park, IL
Wabtec - Buffalo Grove, IL
G&W Electric Co - Schiller Park, IL
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 | $81,197 |
| Intermediate Engineer | 2-4 years | $93,900 |
| General Engineer III | 4-7 years | $112,872 |
| Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead | 7+ years | $142,860 |
| Engineer - Expert/Consultant | 7-10 years | $164,950 |
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 $126,374. While startup companies pay approximate $106,909.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $106,909 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $113,069 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $122,036 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $126,374 |
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 | $158,046 | $76.0 | 40% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $146,757 | $71.0 | 30% |
| Media | $137,726 | $66.0 | 22% |
| Healthcare | $135,468 | $65.0 | 20% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $130,952 | $63.0 | 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 | $120,090 | $10,008 | $2,309 | $58 |
| Average | $112,890 | $9,408 | $2,171 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,290 | $8,774 | $2,025 | $51 |
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 | $142,900 | 27% |
| Aerospace Aviation Engineer IV | $142,860 | 27% |
| Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead | $142,900 | 27% |
| GNC Engineer IV | $138,100 | 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.
G&W Electric Co
Westmont, IL
G&W Electric Co | Westmont, IL
NPD Project Engineer III As an NPD Project Engineer III you will: Be responsible for leading small to medium portions of the design process, completing ass... more
6 Days Ago
G&W Electric Co
Glen Ellyn, IL
G&W Electric Co | Glen Ellyn, IL
NPD Project Engineer III As an NPD Project Engineer III you will: Be responsible for leading small to medium portions of the design process, completing ass... more
6 Days Ago
Baxter and Woodman
Rockford, IL
Baxter and Woodman | Rockford, IL
Construction Engineer IIIAt Baxter & Woodman, both seasoned professionals and recent graduates find more than a job. they uncover a long-lasting, fulfillin... more
8 Days Ago
Bowman
Lisle, IL
Bowman | Lisle, IL
Short DescriptionBowman has an opportunity for a Construction Engineer III to join our team in Lisle, IL.At Bowman, we believe in creating opportunities fo... more
8 Days Ago
Grainger Corporate Services LLC
Fort Sheridan, IL
Grainger Corporate Services LLC | Fort Sheridan, IL
Grainger Corporate Services LLC is seeking a Data Engineer III in Lake Forest, IL to pioneer a new way of thinking about Data Pipelines, Orchestration & Co... more
8 Days Ago
System One
Downers Grove, IL
System One | Downers Grove, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Structural Engineer III. Location. Downers Grove, IL. Type. Contract. Compensation. $50.00 or (DOE). Contracto... more
8 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
