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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Radio Frequency Design Engineer III in Kentucky is $113,653 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
However, a Radio Frequency Design Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Radio Frequency Design Engineer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $122,493 | $10,208 | $2,356 | $59 |
| Average | $113,653 | $9,471 | $2,186 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $106,083 | $8,840 | $2,040 | $51 |
Sortation Labs LLC - Louisville, KY
Control Touch Systems, LLC - Louisville, KY
National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory - ALAMEDA, NM
A Radio Frequency Design 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Radio Frequency Design 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Frequency Design Engineer I | 0-2 years | $84,240 |
| RF Engineer II | 2-4 years | $93,630 |
| Radio Frequency Design Engineer III | 4-7 years | $113,633 |
| RF Engineer IV | 7+ years | $135,303 |
| RF Engineer V | 7-10 years | $167,159 |
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 Radio Frequency Design Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Radio Frequency Design Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $128,246. While startup companies pay approximate $108,536.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $108,536 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $114,778 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $123,859 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $128,246 |
For Radio Frequency Design Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Radio Frequency Design Engineer positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Radio Frequency Design Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $159,114 | $76.0 | 40% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $147,749 | $71.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $136,384 | $66.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $130,701 | $63.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $125,018 | $60.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Radio Frequency Design 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 | $122,493 | $10,208 | $2,356 | $59 |
| Average | $113,653 | $9,471 | $2,186 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $106,083 | $8,840 | $2,040 | $51 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Radio Frequency Design Engineer 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.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Signal Processing Engineer IV | $138,500 | 22% |
| EE IV | $135,400 | 19% |
| Electronics Design Engineer IV | $135,400 | 19% |
| RF Engineer IV | $135,400 | 19% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Radio Frequency Design Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
ALAMEDA, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | ALAMEDA, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: HPC Software Engineer III - UPDATED Location: 155 Observatory Rd, Green Bank, WV 24944, USA• 1011 Lopezville Rd... more
1 Day Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
ALAMEDA, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | ALAMEDA, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Electronics Engineer III-IV Location: 1011 Lopezville Rd, Socorro, NM 87801, USA• 5651 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy, Alb... more
1 Day Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Systems Engineer II-III Location: NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States ... more
3 Days Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Embedded Software FPGA Design Engineer Location: NRAO Central Development Lab, 1180 Boxwood Estate Rd, CHARLOTT... more
1 Day Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | ALBUQUERQUE, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Electronics Engineer III-IV Location: 1011 Lopezville Rd, Socorro, NM 87801, USA• 5651 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy, Alb... more
1 Day Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | ALBUQUERQUE, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: HPC Software Engineer III - UPDATED Location: 155 Observatory Rd, Green Bank, WV 24944, USA• 1011 Lopezville Rd... more
1 Day Ago
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