Civil Engineering Technician III Salary in the United States

How much does a Civil Engineering Technician III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineering Technician III in the United States is $73,189 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, a Civil Engineering Technician III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,484
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,215 to $79,101
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,866

Key Factors That Influence Civil Engineering Technician III Salaries

A Civil Engineering Technician 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 Civil Engineering Technician III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Engineering Technician 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:

  • Civil Engineering Technician I (0-1 years): $53,954
  • Civil Engineering Technician II (1-3 years): $59,502
  • Civil Engineering Technician III (3-5 years): $73,189
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil Engineering Technician I0-1 years$53,954
Civil Engineering Technician II1-3 years$59,502
Civil Engineering Technician III3-5 years$73,189

How Do Civil Engineering Technician 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 Civil Engineering Technician IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,035.
  • California: $80,727.
  • Massachusetts: $79,652.

Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineering Technician 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: $92,313
  • San Francisco: $91,303
  • Oakland: $89,378

What Skills Can Increase a Civil Engineering Technician III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 6.57% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Engineering Services (Mentioned in 3.24% Job Postings): Engineering services" means any service or creative work, the adequate performance of which requires engineering education, training and experience in the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences
  • Materials Testing (Mentioned in 1.66% Job Postings): Material Testing Materials (biomaterials as well as inorganic or organic materials) and devices (integrated circuits, LED, Solar cell etc.) need analysis to assess product quality, functioning, safety, reliability and toxicity. Effective materials testing covers verification of material characteristics for application trials, detection of defects, analysis of failures, improvement of new materials or conducting basic research on the theoretical strength of materials.
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 6.57%
Engineering Services 3.24%
Materials Testing 1.66%

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 Civil Engineering Technician III's salary.

  • Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Attention to Detail $81,240
11%
Verbal Communication $80,508
10%
Leadership $79,044
8%

Civil Engineering Technician III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Civil Engineering Technician III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $81,792. While startup companies pay approximate $69,187.

Civil Engineering Technician III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,187
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,173
Established 501~5000 $78,980
Enterprise 5000+ $81,792

Civil Engineering Technician III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil Engineering Technician III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Civil Engineering Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Engineering Technician III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Engineering Technician III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$95,146$46.030%
Pharmaceuticals$91,486$44.025%
Aerospace & Defense$87,827$42.020%

How Education impacts a Civil Engineering Technician III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Civil Engineering Technician 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 Civil Engineering Technician III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $69,887 and $75,741.

Civil Engineering Technician III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Civil Engineering Technician III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 19.1%
High School 19.1%
Associates 59.6%
Bachelors 21.3%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Civil Engineering Technician III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Civil Engineering Technician 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
$66,215
Average $73,189/year
$79,101
$5,518
Average $6,099/month
$6,592
$1,273
Average $1,407/week
$1,521
$32
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,101 $6,592 $1,521 $38
Average $73,189 $6,099 $1,407 $35
25th Percentile $66,215 $5,518 $1,273 $32

Most common benefits for Civil Engineering Technician III

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

Common company salaries for Civil Engineering Technician III

Here are companies hiring for Civil Engineering Technician III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Civil Engineering Technician III

1. Where can a Civil Engineering Technician III earn the most?

A Civil Engineering Technician 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, a Civil Engineering Technician III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Civil Engineering Technician III is $92,313.

2. What is the highest pay for Civil Engineering Technician III?

The highest pay for Civil Engineering Technician III is $84,484.

3. What is the lowest pay for Civil Engineering Technician III?

The lowest pay for Civil Engineering Technician III is $59,866.

4. What are the responsibilities of Civil Engineering Technician III?

Assists civil engineers in the planning, designing, and building of infrastructure and development projects. Helps engineers in the planning of construction projects such as airports, bridges, channels, dams, railroads, and roads. Estimates workload to establish project deadlines and helps prepare proposals and cost estimates. May be responsible for recommending maintenance, repair, and preparing reports for review by an engineer. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Civil Engineering Technician III?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Civil Engineering Technician III roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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