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Manufacturing Technician III Salary in the United States

How much does an Manufacturing Technician III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Manufacturing Technician III in the United States is $61,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,663
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,500 to $67,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,400

Key Factors That Influence Manufacturing Technician III Salaries

An Manufacturing 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 Manufacturing Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Manufacturing 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:

  • Manufacturing Technician I (0-1 years): $42,792
  • Manufacturing Technician II (1-3 years): $54,730
  • Manufacturing Technician III (3-5 years): $61,116
  • Manufacturing Technician IV (5-7 years): $67,465
  • Production Foreman I (7+ years): $64,851
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Manufacturing Technician I0-1 years$42,792
Manufacturing Technician II1-3 years$54,730
Manufacturing Technician III3-5 years$61,116
Manufacturing Technician IV5-7 years$67,465
Production Foreman I7+ years$64,851

Top Paying Cities for Manufacturing 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: $77,100
  • San Francisco: $76,300
  • Oakland: $74,700

What Skills Can Increase an Manufacturing Technician III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 5.12% 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.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 3.47% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
  • 5S (Mentioned in 1.95% Job Postings): Stands for sort, sustain, set in order, standardized and shine. 5 tips that are designed to achieve clean, uncluttered, safe, and well organized workplace for a more systematized work flow.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 5.12%
Continuous Improvement 3.47%
5S 1.95%

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 an Manufacturing Technician III's salary.

  • Billing: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Billing $69,768
14%
Scheduling $68,544
12%
Products and Services $66,096
8%

Manufacturing Technician III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Manufacturing Technician III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,560. While startup companies pay approximate $58,011.

Manufacturing Technician III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,011
Growth Stage 51~500 $61,348
Established 501~5000 $66,208
Enterprise 5000+ $68,560

Manufacturing Technician III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Manufacturing Technician III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Manufacturing Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Manufacturing Technician III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Manufacturing Technician III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$79,560$38.030%
Aerospace & Defense$73,440$35.020%

How Education impacts an Manufacturing Technician III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Manufacturing 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 an Manufacturing Technician III with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $51,404 and $55,746).

Manufacturing Technician III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Manufacturing Technician III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.0%
High School 24.5%
Associates 18.4%
Bachelors 51.0%
Masters 4.1%
Doctorate 0.0%

Manufacturing Technician III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Manufacturing 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 September 01, 2026
$54,500
Average $61,200/year
$67,200
$4,542
Average $5,100/month
$5,600
$1,048
Average $1,177/week
$1,292
$26
Average $29/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,200 $5,600 $1,292 $32
Average $61,200 $5,100 $1,177 $29
25th Percentile $54,500 $4,542 $1,048 $26

Manufacturing Technician III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Manufacturing Technician 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.

Manufacturing Technician III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Production Line Operations Supervisor $73,100 19%
Manufacturing Technician IV $67,470 10%

Most common benefits for Manufacturing Technician III

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

Common company salaries for Manufacturing Technician III

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

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FAQ about Manufacturing Technician III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Manufacturing Technician III?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Manufacturing Technician III roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is level 3 qualification equivalent to in the US?

A Level 3 qualification in the UK is equivalent to A-levels, BTEC National Diploma, NVQ Level 3, and Advanced Apprenticeship. In the US, it corresponds to a High School Diploma or GED. For a Manufacturing Technician role, salaries range from $48,800 to $65,200, with a median salary of $55,700, reflecting the skills and qualifications required.

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

The salary for Manufacturing Technicians in the United States typically ranges from $48,800 to $65,200, with a mid-point salary of $55,700. This reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibilities within the role.

4. What is a level 3 pay grade?

A Level 3 pay grade typically offers a salary range that may exceed the average for Manufacturing Technicians. Based on the salary data, the minimum salary is $48,800, the mid-salary is $55,700, and the maximum salary is $65,200. This suggests that while Level 3 positions may offer competitive pay, they can vary significantly based on location and experience.

5. Can you make 300k a year in tech?

While top tech roles can command salaries above $300k, positions like Manufacturing Technician typically offer a salary range of $48,800 to $65,200. For higher earnings, consider advancing to roles such as CTO or Principal Software Architect, especially in high-demand areas like San Francisco or NYC, where salaries can significantly exceed this range.

6. How much is a technician paid in USA?

The average salary for a Manufacturing Technician in the USA ranges from $48,800 to $65,200 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $55,700 annually, while experienced technicians can earn up to $65,200. This reflects a competitive pay scale within the manufacturing sector.

7. How much does a Level 3 manufacturing technician make?

The estimated total pay for a Level 3 Manufacturing Technician ranges from $48,800 to $65,200 per year, with an average salary of $55,700. These figures reflect the minimum, midpoint, and maximum salaries based on current data for this role.

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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