As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Process Engineer III in the United States is $110,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.
However, a Manufacturing Process Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Manufacturing Process Engineer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $118,800 | $9,900 | $2,285 | $57 |
| Average | $110,200 | $9,183 | $2,119 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,400 | $8,367 | $1,931 | $48 |
A Manufacturing Process 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Manufacturing Process 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 Process Engineer | 0-2 years | $86,632 |
| Intermediate Process Engineer | 2-4 years | $99,282 |
| Manufacturing Process Engineer III | 4-7 years | $110,196 |
| Manufacturing Process Engineer IV | 7+ years | $134,706 |
| Manufacturing Process Engineering Supervisor | 7+ years | $117,499 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 6.34% |
| Chemical Engineering | 1.76% |
| Installation | 1.51% |
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 Manufacturing Process Engineer III's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Semiconductors | $114,608 | |
| Product Development | $113,506 | |
| Alignment | $113,506 |
Manufacturing Process Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $123,319. While startup companies pay approximate $104,522.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $104,522 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $110,483 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $119,104 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $123,319 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Manufacturing Process Engineer 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 Manufacturing Process Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $106,154 and $110,864).
| Typical Education for Manufacturing Process Engineer III | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 1.8% |
| Associates | 1.2% |
| Bachelors | 44.2% |
| Masters | 33.9% |
| Doctorate | 18.9% |
Understanding how a Manufacturing Process 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 | $118,800 | $9,900 | $2,285 | $57 |
| Average | $110,200 | $9,183 | $2,119 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,400 | $8,367 | $1,931 | $48 |
Next Role
Advancement
For a Manufacturing Process Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Manufacturing Process Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $134,800 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.
Salaries for a Manufacturing Process Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $105,171 in 2023 to around $100,709 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Manufacturing Process Engineer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $105,171 |
| 2024 | $102,306 |
| 2025 | $100,709 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Telecom industry offers the highest average compensation for Manufacturing Process Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
Among engineering careers, Manufacturing Process Engineers have a salary range with a minimum of $102,200, a mid-level salary of $111,100, and a maximum of $119,000. While they are well-compensated, other fields like Petroleum Engineering offer higher median salaries, such as $137,322.
The highest paying job in manufacturing is typically the Manufacturing Process Engineer, with a salary range from $102,200 to $119,000. The average salary for this role is around $111,100. Other high-paying positions include Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Manager, and Operations Manager, but the Manufacturing Process Engineer stands out in terms of compensation.
Manufacturing Process Engineers in the United States typically earn between $102,200 and $119,000 annually, with a median salary of $111,100. While cities like Palmdale, CA, report higher salaries, the overall range reflects competitive compensation across various locations.
Manufacturing Process Engineers earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $102,200, a mid-range of $111,100, and a maximum of $119,000. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a manufacturing engineer, a process engineer usually requires 2-4 years of experience. The salary for process engineers reflects their advanced expertise and responsibilities.
While the salary range for a Manufacturing Process Engineer typically falls between $102,200 and $119,000, reaching $300,000 a year is generally not feasible in this role. Advanced degrees and specialized skills may lead to higher earnings, but salaries in this field usually do not approach that level.
A bachelor's degree in engineering is the minimum requirement for manufacturing engineering jobs. Some employers may require a master's degree. Many engineers hold bachelor's degrees in industrial engineering. The salary for a Manufacturing Process Engineer typically ranges from $102,200 to $119,000, with a mid-salary of $111,100.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers: