As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a M&A Analyst III in the United States is $133,730 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.
However, a M&A Analyst III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A M&A Analyst 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a M&A Analyst 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 Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst | 2-4 years | $94,221 |
| Intermediate Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst | 4-7 years | $113,156 |
| M&A Analyst III | 7+ years | $133,727 |
| Lead Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst | 7-10 years | $175,297 |
| Manager M&A | 10+ years | $136,882 |
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 M&A Analyst IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 17.66% |
| Microsoft Excel | 2.82% |
| PowerPoint | 1.73% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Communicates Effectively
|
$149,778 |
12%
|
|
Team Management
|
$143,091 |
7%
|
|
Commitment
|
$141,754 |
6%
|
|
Verbal Communication
|
$141,754 |
6%
|
|
Decision Making
|
$139,079 |
4%
|
|
Business Administration
|
$139,079 |
4%
|
M&A Analyst III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $149,703. While startup companies pay approximate $126,645.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $126,645 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $133,942 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $144,565 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $149,703 |
For M&A Analyst 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 Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, M&A Analyst positions in Chemicals or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view M&A Analyst III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $187,222 | $90.0 | 40% |
| Business Services | $173,849 | $84.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $160,476 | $77.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many M&A Analyst IIIs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 M&A Analyst III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $144,377 and $154,349).
M&A Analyst III Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 28.1% |
| High School | 62.5% |
| Associates | 9.4% |
| Bachelors | 28.1% |
| Masters | 62.5% |
| Doctorate | 9.4% |
Understanding how a M&A Analyst 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, 2026For a M&A Analyst III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Lead Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $175,300 - a projected growth of 31% over your current level.
Salaries for a M&A Analyst III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $143,208 in 2023 to around $138,288 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of M&A Analyst III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $143,208 |
| 2024 | $142,033 |
| 2025 | $138,288 |
| 2026 |
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| 2027 |
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|
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for M&A Analyst III roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
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