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PCB Designer III Salary in the United States

How much does a PCB Designer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a PCB Designer III in the United States is $103,030 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a PCB Designer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $116,289
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $91,980 to $109,970
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,920
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence PCB Designer III Salaries

A PCB Designer III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do PCB Designer III Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 PCB Designer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $114,080.
  • California: $113,650.
  • Massachusetts: $112,130.

Top Paying Cities for PCB Designer 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: $129,960
  • San Francisco: $128,530
  • Oakland: $125,830

What Skills Can Increase a PCB Designer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 8.94% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • Illustrator (Mentioned in 2.83% Job Postings): Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and design program developed and marketed by Adobe Inc. Originally designed for the Apple Macintosh, development of Adobe Illustrator began in 1985. Along with Creative Cloud, Illustrator CC was released.
  • Schematic (Mentioned in 1.54% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 8.94%
Illustrator 2.83%
Schematic 1.54%
See More Skills

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 PCB Designer III's salary.

  • Adobe: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Adobe $115,394
12%
Commitment $108,182
5%
Insight $108,182
5%
Get Latest Data

PCB Designer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

PCB Designer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,140. While startup companies pay approximate $97,397.

PCB Designer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $97,397
Growth Stage 51~500 $103,007
Established 501~5000 $111,183
Enterprise 5000+ $115,140

PCB Designer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For PCB Designer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, PCB Designer positions in Telecom or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view PCB Designer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a PCB Designer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$128,788$62.025%
Software & Networking$123,636$59.020%
MFG Durable$113,333$54.010%

How Education impacts a PCB Designer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many PCB Designer 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 PCB Designer III with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $87,496 and $93,230).

PCB Designer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for PCB Designer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 23.1%
High School 23.1%
Associates 42.3%
Bachelors 30.8%
Masters 3.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

PCB Designer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a PCB Designer 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
$91,980
Average $103,030/year
$109,970
$7,665
Average $8,586/month
$9,164
$1,769
Average $1,981/week
$2,115
$44
Average $50/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $109,970 $9,164 $2,115 $53
Average $103,030 $8,586 $1,981 $50
25th Percentile $91,980 $7,665 $1,769 $44

PCB Designer III Salary Growth & Career Path

PCB Designer III

Next Role

For a PCB Designer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Designer, Specialist - Printed Circuit Board role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $143,300 - a projected growth of 39% over your current level.

Most common benefits for PCB Designer III

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

Common company salaries for PCB Designer III

Here are companies hiring for PCB Designer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about PCB Designer III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for PCB Designer III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for PCB Designer III roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much do high end designers make?

High-end PCB Designers can expect to earn between $83,780 and $111,470 annually, with a median salary of $92,690. This translates to approximately $40.24 to $53.51 per hour, or $6,982 to $9,289 monthly. The salary reflects the specialized skills and expertise required in this field.

3. How much does a circuit design engineer earn in USA?

A PCB Designer in the USA earns an annual salary ranging from $83,780 to $111,470, with a median salary of $92,690. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, where experience and expertise can significantly influence earnings.

4. Is a PCB designer an engineer?

Yes, a PCB designer is often considered an engineer, especially as the role has evolved to require a deeper understanding of electrical and computer engineering principles. With salaries ranging from $83,780 to $111,470, obtaining a degree in electrical or computer engineering is highly recommended to meet the demands of the profession.

5. What is the highest paid designer?

The highest-paid designer role is often a game designer, with an average salary of around $118,445 per year. However, for PCB designers specifically, salaries range from a minimum of $83,780 to a mid-level of $92,690, reaching up to a maximum of $111,470 annually. Other high-paying design roles include UI, UX, and product designers.

6. What is a designer III?

A Designer III, specifically a PCB Designer, is a high-level specialist responsible for creating and producing complex printed circuit board designs. They work on advanced projects, ensuring precision and innovation in their designs. The salary for this role typically ranges from $83,780 to $111,470, with a mid-point of $92,690, reflecting the expertise and responsibility involved.

7. What is the highest paid designer?

The highest paid designer role is typically the PCB Designer, with a salary range from $83,780 to $111,470. The average salary for this position is around $92,690. PCB Designers are crucial in creating and developing printed circuit boards, requiring strong technical skills and attention to detail.

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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