upper level job

Process Development Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Process Development Engineer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Process Development Engineer III in the United States is $110,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

However, a Process Development Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $126,477
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,360 to $118,720
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $91,401

Key Factors That Influence Process Development Engineer III Salaries

A Process Development 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.

How Experience Level Affects Process Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Process Development 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:

  • Entry Process Engineer (0-2 years): $86,626
  • Intermediate Process Engineer (2-4 years): $99,277
  • Process Development Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,193
  • Manufacturing Process Engineer IV (7+ years): $134,698
  • Manufacturing Process Engineering Supervisor (7+ years): $117,502
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Process Engineer0-2 years$86,626
Intermediate Process Engineer2-4 years$99,277
Process Development Engineer III4-7 years$110,193
Manufacturing Process Engineer IV7+ years$134,698
Manufacturing Process Engineering Supervisor7+ years$117,502

How Do Process Development Engineer 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 Process Development Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $122,010.
  • California: $121,550.
  • Massachusetts: $119,930.

Top Paying Cities for Process Development Engineer 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: $138,990
  • San Francisco: $137,470
  • Oakland: $134,570

What Skills Can Increase a Process Development Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.34% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Chemical Engineering (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilisation of nano-technology and nano-materials in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and products. Chemical engineers are involved in many aspects of plant design and operation, including safety and hazard assessments, process design and analysis, modeling, control engineering, chemical reaction engineering, nuclear engineering, biological engineering, construction specification, and operating instructions. Chemical engineers typically hold a degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. Practising engineers may have professional certification and be accredited members of a professional body. Such bodies include the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) or the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). A degree in chemical engineering is directly linked with all of the other engineering disciplines, to various extents.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.34%
Chemical Engineering 1.76%
Installation 1.51%

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 Process Development Engineer III's salary.

  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Semiconductors $114,608
4%
Product Development $113,506
3%
Alignment $113,506
3%

Process Development Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Process Development Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $123,450. While startup companies pay approximate $104,530.

Process Development Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $104,530
Growth Stage 51~500 $110,515
Established 501~5000 $119,237
Enterprise 5000+ $123,450

Process Development Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Process Development Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Telecom and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Process Development Engineer positions in Transportation or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Process Development Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Process Development Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Telecom$154,280$74.040%
Healthcare$143,260$69.030%
Biotechnology$132,240$64.020%
Pharmaceuticals$126,730$61.015%
Chemicals$121,220$58.010%

How Education impacts a Process Development Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Process Development 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 Process Development Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $106,120 and $110,819).

Process Development Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Process Development 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%

Process Development Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Process Development 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$100,360
Average $110,200/year
$118,720
$8,363
Average $9,183/month
$9,893
$1,930
Average $2,119/week
$2,283
$48
Average $53/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $118,720 $9,893 $2,283 $57
Average $110,200 $9,183 $2,119 $53
25th Percentile $100,360 $8,363 $1,930 $48

Process Development Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Process Development 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 $134,700 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Process Development Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Process Development Engineer III

Here are companies hiring for Process Development Engineer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Process Development Engineer III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Process Development Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Process Development Engineer III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Process Development Engineer III?

The Telecom industry offers the highest average compensation for Process Development Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. Which developer has highest salary in US?

Process Development Engineers in the US earn a salary range of approximately $102,190 to $118,990, with a mid-salary of around $111,060. This role is crucial in various industries, focusing on optimizing processes and improving product quality, making it a highly valued position in the engineering field.

3. What level is engineer III?

Engineer III is typically considered a mid-level position. They can work independently and often assist junior engineers with tasks or troubleshooting. Professionals at this level usually have three to six years of experience and can expect a salary ranging from $102,190 to $118,990, with a midpoint around $111,060.

4. What is a process engineer III?

A Process Engineer III is a mid-level role in semiconductor manufacturing, specializing in developing and characterizing Plasma Etching processes, optimizing semiconductor equipment, and providing customer support. The salary for this position typically ranges from $102,190 to $118,990, with a mid-point of $111,060.

5. Who is the highest paid engineer in the United States?

The highest-paid engineers in the United States include Petroleum Engineers with a median annual salary of $137,322, followed by Aerospace Engineers at $118,602. Process Development Engineers earn between $102,190 and $118,990, with a mid-salary of $111,060, making them among the well-compensated engineering roles.

6. How much does a process development engineer III make at Regeneron?

The salary for a Process Development Engineer III at Regeneron typically ranges from $102,190 to $118,990, with a mid-point salary of approximately $111,060. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role within the industry.

7. How much do ADM process engineers make?

The salary for a Process Development Engineer typically ranges from a minimum of $102,190 to a maximum of $118,990, with a mid-range salary of about $111,060. This reflects a more competitive compensation compared to the average reported salary of $84,499 for similar roles in the industry.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job