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Aircraft Support Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Support Engineer III in the United States is $102,627 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $121,271
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,924 to $112,386
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,911
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Aircraft Support Engineer III Salaries

An Aircraft Support 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.

How Experience Level Affects Aircraft Support Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Aircraft Support 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:

  • Aircraft Support Engineer I (0-2 years): $78,953
  • Aircraft Support Engineer II (2-4 years): $93,093
  • Aircraft Support Engineer III (4-7 years): $102,627
  • Aircraft Support Engineer IV (7+ years): $120,962
  • Aircraft Support Engineer V (7-10 years): $139,523
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Aircraft Support Engineer I0-2 years$78,953
Aircraft Support Engineer II2-4 years$93,093
Aircraft Support Engineer III4-7 years$102,627
Aircraft Support Engineer IV7+ years$120,962
Aircraft Support Engineer V7-10 years$139,523
View as Graph

How Do Aircraft Support Engineer IIIs 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 Aircraft Support Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $113,629.
  • California: $113,198.
  • Massachusetts: $111,689.

Top Paying Cities for Aircraft Support Engineer III

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: $129,443
  • San Francisco: $128,026
  • Oakland: $125,328

Aircraft Support Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Aircraft Support Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $113,970. While startup companies pay approximate $96,586.

Aircraft Support Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $96,586
Growth Stage 51~500 $102,098
Established 501~5000 $110,108
Enterprise 5000+ $113,970

Aircraft Support Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aircraft Support Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 115% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Aircraft Support Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aircraft Support Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Aircraft Support Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$153,940$74.050%
Energy & Utilities$133,415$64.030%
Aerospace & Defense$123,152$59.020%
MFG Durable$112,890$54.010%

Aircraft Support Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Aircraft Support 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 August 01, 2026
$94,924
Average $102,627/year
$112,386
$7,910
Average $8,552/month
$9,366
$1,825
Average $1,974/week
$2,161
$46
Average $49/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $112,386 $9,366 $2,161 $54
Average $102,627 $8,552 $1,974 $49
25th Percentile $94,924 $7,910 $1,825 $46

Aircraft Support Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Aircraft Support Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Aircraft Support 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
Aircraft Support Engineer IV $120,962 18%
Aerospace Maintenance Engineer IV $120,870 18%
Software Support Manager $127,281 24%

Most common benefits for Aircraft Support Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Aircraft Support Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Aircraft Support Engineer III

1. Where can an Aircraft Support Engineer III earn the most?

An Aircraft Support 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 Aircraft Support Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Aircraft Support Engineer III is $129,443.

2. What is the highest pay for Aircraft Support Engineer III?

The highest pay for Aircraft Support Engineer III is $121,271.

3. What is the lowest pay for Aircraft Support Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Aircraft Support Engineer III is $87,911.

4. What are the responsibilities of Aircraft Support Engineer III?

Performs engineering tasks involving changes or alterations to designs or specifications of aircraft parts, modules, or systems to ensure calibration and safety. Routinely inspects aircraft components and recommends replacements, repairs, or modifications to facilitate optimal and reliable functionality. Maintains accurate records of services and procedures performed and documents and reports issues, malfunctions, and unusual wear or damage of parts. Analyzes and investigates aircraft issues or project requirements to determine repairability and ensure conformance and calibration when developing solutions. Evaluates aircraft data to design engineering modification proposals and prepares technical documents, reports, drawings, or models to provide to management and support other functions. Follows guidelines to ensure compliance with aviation regulations and safety standards. 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 Aircraft Support Engineer III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Aircraft Support Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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