As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Control & Instrument Engineer III in the United States is $122,178 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
However, a Control & Instrument Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Control & Instrument Engineer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $132,019 | $11,002 | $2,539 | $63 |
| Average | $122,178 | $10,182 | $2,350 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,520 | $9,460 | $2,183 | $55 |
A Control & Instrument 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 Control & Instrument 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Control & Instrument Engineer I | 0-2 years | $92,537 |
| Control & Instrument Engineer II | 2-4 years | $107,480 |
| Control & Instrument Engineer III | 4-7 years | $122,178 |
| Control & Instrument Engineer IV | 7+ years | $149,471 |
| Control & Instrument Engineer V | 7-10 years | $164,437 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 8.55% |
| System Requirements | 3.55% |
| Computer Science | 1.84% |
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 Control & Instrument Engineer III's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Tableau | $136,839 | |
| Flexibility and Adaptability | $129,509 | |
| Machine Learning | $129,509 |
Control & Instrument Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $137,121. While startup companies pay approximate $116,114.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $116,114 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $122,765 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $132,446 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $137,121 |
Understanding how a Control & Instrument 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 | $132,019 | $11,002 | $2,539 | $63 |
| Average | $122,178 | $10,182 | $2,350 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,520 | $9,460 | $2,183 | $55 |
Next Role
Advancement
For a Control & Instrument Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Control & Instrument Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $149,471 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.
Salaries for a Control & Instrument Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $111,801 in 2023 to around $110,033 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Control & Instrument Engineer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $111,801 |
| 2024 | $111,257 |
| 2025 | $110,033 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Control & Instrument 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, a Control & Instrument Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Control & Instrument Engineer III is $154,103.
The highest pay for Control & Instrument Engineer III is $140,979.
The lowest pay for Control & Instrument Engineer III is $105,637.
Designs, installs, optimizes, and adapts electronic control systems and instruments to automate and monitor industrial processes. Develops technical designs, process diagrams, SCADA block diagrams, and control schematics to implement automation controls. Configures systems using PLC and HMI techniques. Models, tests, and measures output and data to analyze performance or quality issues and develop solutions. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. 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.
The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Control & Instrument Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.
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