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Control & Instrument Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Control & Instrument Engineer III make in the United States?

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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,979
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $113,520 to $132,019
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,637

Key Factors That Influence Control & Instrument Engineer III Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Control & Instrument Engineer III Salaries?

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:

  • 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
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Control & Instrument Engineer I0-2 years$92,537
Control & Instrument Engineer II2-4 years$107,480
Control & Instrument Engineer III4-7 years$122,178
Control & Instrument Engineer IV7+ years$149,471
Control & Instrument Engineer V7-10 years$164,437

Top Paying Cities for Control & Instrument 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: $154,103
  • San Francisco: $152,416
  • Oakland: $149,204

What Skills Can Increase a Control & Instrument Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.55% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • System Requirements (Mentioned in 3.55% Job Postings): System requirements is a statement that identifies the functionality that is needed by a system in order to satisfy the customer's requirements. System requirements are a broad and also narrow subject that could be implemented to many items.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 1.84% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.55%
System Requirements 3.55%
Computer Science 1.84%

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 Control & Instrument Engineer III's salary.

  • Tableau: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Flexibility and Adaptability: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Tableau $136,839
12%
Flexibility and Adaptability $129,509
6%
Machine Learning $129,509
6%

Control & Instrument Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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.

Control & Instrument Engineer III Salary by Company Size

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

Control & Instrument Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Control & Instrument Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Control & Instrument Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Control & Instrument Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Control & Instrument Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$134,396$65.010%
Biotechnology$134,396$65.010%
Chemicals$134,396$65.010%
Energy & Utilities$134,396$65.010%
Healthcare$134,396$65.010%

Control & Instrument Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$113,520
Average $122,178/year
$132,019
$9,460
Average $10,182/month
$11,002
$2,183
Average $2,350/week
$2,539
$55
Average $59/hour
$63
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

Control & Instrument Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

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.

Most common benefits for Control & Instrument Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Control & Instrument Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Control & Instrument Engineer III

1. Where can a Control & Instrument Engineer III earn the most?

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.

2. What is the highest pay for Control & Instrument Engineer III?

The highest pay for Control & Instrument Engineer III is $140,979.

3. What is the lowest pay for Control & Instrument Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Control & Instrument Engineer III is $105,637.

4. What are the responsibilities of Control & Instrument Engineer III?

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Control & Instrument Engineer III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Control & Instrument Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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