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Aerospace Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does an Aerospace Engineer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aerospace Engineer III in the United States is $110,733 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $124,100
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,298 to $117,730
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $96,529
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Aerospace Engineer III Salaries

An Aerospace 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 Aerospace Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Aerospace 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:

  • Aerospace Engineer I (0-2 years): $79,655
  • Aerospace Engineer II (2-4 years): $95,651
  • Aerospace Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,733
  • Aerospace Engineer IV (7+ years): $140,155
  • Aerospace Engineer V (7-10 years): $161,819
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Aerospace Engineer I0-2 years$79,655
Aerospace Engineer II2-4 years$95,651
Aerospace Engineer III4-7 years$110,733
Aerospace Engineer IV7+ years$140,155
Aerospace Engineer V7-10 years$161,819
View as Graph

How Do Aerospace 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 Aerospace Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $122,604.
  • California: $122,138.
  • Massachusetts: $120,511.

Top Paying Cities for Aerospace 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: $139,668
  • San Francisco: $138,138
  • Oakland: $135,227

What Skills Can Increase an Aerospace Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 13.86% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • System Integration (Mentioned in 2.62% Job Postings): The process of creating a complex information system that may include designing or building a customized architecture or application, integrating it with new or existing hardware, packaged and custom software, and communications.
  • Software Development (Mentioned in 2.25% Job Postings): Software development is the process of conceiving, specifying, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and bug fixing involved in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components. Software development is a process of writing and maintaining the source code, but in a broader sense, it includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to the final manifestation of the software, sometimes in a planned and structured process. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products. Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common being to meet specific needs of a specific client/business (the case with custom software), to meet a perceived need of some set of potential users (the case with commercial and open source software), or for personal use (e.g. a scientist may write software to automate a mundane task). Embedded software development, that is, the development of embedded software, such as used for controlling consumer products, requires the development process to be integrated with the development of the controlled physical product. System software underlies applications and the programming process itself, and is often developed separately.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 13.86%
System Integration 2.62%
Software Development 2.25%
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 an Aerospace Engineer III's salary.

  • Strategic Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Water Treatment: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Resilience: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Strategic Thinking $122,914
11%
Water Treatment $119,592
8%
Resilience $118,484
7%
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Aerospace Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Aerospace Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $122,758. While startup companies pay approximate $104,028.

Aerospace Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $104,028
Growth Stage 51~500 $109,961
Established 501~5000 $118,594
Enterprise 5000+ $122,758

Aerospace Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aerospace Engineer 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 Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Aerospace Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aerospace Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Aerospace Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$149,490$72.035%
Energy & Utilities$138,416$67.025%
Aerospace & Defense$127,343$61.015%
MFG Durable$116,270$56.05%

How Education impacts an Aerospace Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Aerospace Engineer III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Aerospace Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $113,828 and $119,335.

Aerospace Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Aerospace Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 2.9%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 31.8%
Masters 49.5%
Doctorate 12.4%
View as Graph

Aerospace Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Aerospace 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
$103,298
Average $110,733/year
$117,730
$8,608
Average $9,228/month
$9,811
$1,987
Average $2,129/week
$2,264
$50
Average $53/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $117,730 $9,811 $2,264 $57
Average $110,733 $9,228 $2,129 $53
25th Percentile $103,298 $8,608 $1,987 $50

Aerospace Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Aerospace Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Aerospace 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
Aeronautical Engineer IV $140,158 27%
Aerospace Engineer IV $140,155 27%
Engineer IV $140,158 27%
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV $135,469 22%

Most common benefits for Aerospace Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Aerospace Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Aerospace Engineer III

1. Where can an Aerospace Engineer III earn the most?

An Aerospace Engineer III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Aerospace Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Aerospace Engineer III is $139,668.

2. What is the highest pay for Aerospace Engineer III?

The highest pay for Aerospace Engineer III is $124,100.

3. What is the lowest pay for Aerospace Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Aerospace Engineer III is $96,529.

4. What are the responsibilities of Aerospace Engineer III?

Researches and develops structural engineering specifications for aerospace products, parts, or associated operations to improve the efficiency and reliability of aerospace systems. Analyzes results of stress tests on various craft and missile parts to determine material durability and tolerances. Oversees flight tests of prototypes and analyzes resulting data to validate flight characteristics and identify necessary improvements. Conducts calculations and utilizes simulations to evaluate aerodynamics, structural integrity, propulsion efficiency, and the effect on fuel consumption of new or existing materials. Utilizes CAE, 3-D, and digital modeling to create detailed plans and specifications to support production. Assists quality assurance and purchasing teams with the evaluation of new or existing suppliers, products and materials, or technologies. Understands and complies with all federal regulatory requirements and specifications. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Aerospace Engineer III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Aerospace Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

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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