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Compensation Analyst III Salary in the United States

How much does a Compensation Analyst III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Compensation Analyst III in the United States is $103,874 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Compensation Analyst III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $115,589
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,123 to $110,006
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,977
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Compensation Analyst III Salaries

A Compensation Analyst 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 Compensation Analyst III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Compensation Analyst 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:

  • Compensation Analyst I (0-2 years): $66,351
  • Compensation Analyst II (2-4 years): $79,191
  • Compensation Analyst III (4-7 years): $103,874
  • Compensation Analyst IV (7+ years): $126,138
  • Compensation Supervisor (7+ years): $120,946
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Compensation Analyst I0-2 years$66,351
Compensation Analyst II2-4 years$79,191
Compensation Analyst III4-7 years$103,874
Compensation Analyst IV7+ years$126,138
Compensation Supervisor7+ years$120,946
View as Graph

How Do Compensation Analyst 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 Compensation Analyst IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $115,009.
  • California: $114,573.
  • Massachusetts: $113,046.

Top Paying Cities for Compensation Analyst 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: $131,016
  • San Francisco: $129,582
  • Oakland: $126,851

What Skills Can Increase a Compensation Analyst III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 18.65% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.2% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Compensation Analysis (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): A review of employee pay in relation to an organization's pay philosophy. It often takes into account both internal equity and external competitiveness to ensure fair pay that can attract, engage, and retain talent.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 18.65%
Microsoft Office 2.2%
Compensation Analysis 1.61%
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 a Compensation Analyst III's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Executive Compensation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $108,029
4%
Executive Compensation $106,990
3%
Innovation $106,990
3%
Get Latest Data

Compensation Analyst III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Compensation Analyst III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $116,084. While startup companies pay approximate $98,195.

Compensation Analyst III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $98,195
Growth Stage 51~500 $103,851
Established 501~5000 $112,093
Enterprise 5000+ $116,084

Compensation Analyst III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Compensation Analyst III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Compensation Analyst positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Compensation Analyst III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Compensation Analyst III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$129,842$62.025%
Internet$124,649$60.020%
Pharmaceuticals$124,649$60.020%
Energy & Utilities$119,455$57.015%
Healthcare$114,261$55.010%

How Education impacts a Compensation Analyst III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Compensation Analyst 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 Compensation Analyst III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $99,471 and $104,662.

Compensation Analyst III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Compensation Analyst III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 2.9%
Associates 2.3%
Bachelors 51.5%
Masters 40.4%
Doctorate 2.3%
View as Graph

Compensation Analyst III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Compensation Analyst 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
$97,123
Average $103,874/year
$110,006
$8,094
Average $8,656/month
$9,167
$1,868
Average $1,998/week
$2,116
$47
Average $50/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $110,006 $9,167 $2,116 $53
Average $103,874 $8,656 $1,998 $50
25th Percentile $97,123 $8,094 $1,868 $47

Compensation Analyst III Salary Growth & Career Path

Compensation Analyst III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Compensation Analyst 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
Stock Plan Administrator IV $119,436 15%
Compensation Analyst IV $126,138 21%
Executive Compensation Manager $186,071 79%

Most common benefits for Compensation Analyst III

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

Common company salaries for Compensation Analyst III

Here are companies hiring for Compensation Analyst III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Compensation Analyst III

1. Where can a Compensation Analyst III earn the most?

A Compensation Analyst 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 Compensation Analyst III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Compensation Analyst III is $131,016.

2. What is the highest pay for Compensation Analyst III?

The highest pay for Compensation Analyst III is $115,589.

3. What is the lowest pay for Compensation Analyst III?

The lowest pay for Compensation Analyst III is $90,977.

4. What are the responsibilities of Compensation Analyst III?

Analyzes, designs, and administers employer compensation programs, including base pay, long and short-term incentives, spot bonuses, commissions, and stock that align with company objectives for recruiting, retention, and employee engagement. Designs and communicates pay structures, grades, compensation budgets, and guidelines. Advises managers on making effective pay decisions that support employee engagement and comply with compensation policy and budgetary guidelines. Evaluates jobs and develops and maintains job descriptions and job architecture. Participates in compensation surveys, conducts research and analysis on market competitiveness, pay equity, and compensation trends. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. 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 Compensation Analyst III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Compensation Analyst III roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
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  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
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