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Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III Salary in the United States

How much does a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III in the United States is $83,133 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,137
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,673 to $90,463
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,150
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View as table View as graph 25% $72,673 10% $63,150 90% $97,137 75% $90,463 $83,133 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $90,463 $7,539 $1,740 $43
Average $83,133 $6,928 $1,599 $40
25th Percentile $72,673 $6,056 $1,398 $35
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Key Factors That Influence Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III Salaries

A Instrumentation/Calibration Technician 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 Instrumentation/Calibration Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician 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 Calibration Technician (1-3 years): $60,957
  • Intermediate Calibration Technician (3-5 years): $67,507
  • Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III (5-7 years): $83,114
  • Instrumentation/Calibration Supervisor (7+ years): $109,622
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Calibration Technician1-3 years$60,957
Intermediate Calibration Technician3-5 years$67,507
Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III5-7 years$83,114
Instrumentation/Calibration Supervisor7+ years$109,622
$60,957 Entry Cal...
$67,507 Intermedi...
$83,114 Instrumen...
$109,622 Instrumen...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician 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: $104,853
  • San Francisco: $103,823
  • Oakland: $101,513

What Skills Can Increase a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 3.06% 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.
  • Schematic (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
  • Avionics (Mentioned in 0.74% Job Postings): Avionics are the electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft. Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to perform individual functions. These can be as simple as a searchlight for a police helicopter or as complicated as the tactical system for an airborne early warning platform. The term avionics is a portmanteau of the words aviation and electronics.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 3.06%
Schematic 1.03%
Avionics 0.74%
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 Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III's salary.
  • Customer Satisfaction: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Research and Development: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • SOP: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Satisfaction
$89,784
8%
Research and Development
$89,784
8%
SOP
$88,121
6%
ISO
$87,290
5%
Quality Management
$86,458
4%
Innovation
$86,458
4%
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How Education impacts a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Instrumentation/Calibration Technician IIIs enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $79,271 and $84,743).

Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.9%
High School 39.0%
Associates 34.1%
Bachelors 22.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician 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 March 01, 2026

Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Instrumentation/Calibration Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $109,700 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III

Salaries for a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $64,875 in 2023 to around $64,859 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$64,875
2024
$65,155
2025
$64,859
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $64,875
2024 $65,155
2025 $64,859
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III

Here are companies hiring for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Instrumentation/Calibration Technician III

1. What is a good salary in tech?

A good salary in tech varies by role, but for an Instrumentation/Calibration Technician, the salary ranges from $75,983 to $94,873, with a median of $85,703. This reflects the demand for skilled technicians in the industry, highlighting the importance of specialized training and experience in achieving competitive compensation.

2. Where do instrumentation technicians make the most money?

Instrumentation technicians tend to earn the highest salaries in regions with a strong demand for their skills, such as in the oil and gas industry or high-tech manufacturing sectors. The salary range for these technicians typically spans from $75,983 to $94,873, with a median salary around $85,703, reflecting the value of their expertise in various industries.

3. How much do instrument technicians make in the US?

Instrumentation/Calibration Technicians in the US earn between $75,983 and $94,873, with a median salary of $85,703. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise in the field. Salaries below this range may be considered outliers.

4. What technician make the most money?

Instrumentation/Calibration Technicians have a competitive salary range. The minimum salary is $75,983, while the mid-level salary is $85,703. For those at the top of their field, the maximum salary can reach $94,873. This makes it a lucrative career choice for skilled technicians in this area.

5. How long does it take to become an instrumentation technician?

To become an instrumentation technician, individuals typically need a high school diploma followed by an associate's degree or a postsecondary certificate, which usually takes about two years to complete. The salary for instrumentation/calibration technicians ranges from $75,983 to $94,873, with a median salary of $85,703.

6. Which tech job has highest salary?

The Instrumentation/Calibration Technician role offers competitive salaries, with a minimum of $75,983, a mid-range salary of $85,703, and a maximum salary of $94,873. This position is among the higher-paying tech jobs, reflecting the specialized skills and expertise required in the field.

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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