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Control & Instrument Technician III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Control & Instrument Technician III in the United States is $97,096 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $113,064
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $89,277 to $105,454
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $82,158

Key Factors That Influence Control & Instrument Technician III Salaries

A Control & Instrument 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Control & Instrument Technician III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Control & Instrument 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:

  • Control & Instrument Technician I (1-3 years): $79,436
  • Control & Instrument Technician II (3-5 years): $87,995
  • Control & Instrument Technician III (5-7 years): $97,096
  • Control & Instrument Engineering Manager (7+ years): $167,353
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Control & Instrument Technician I1-3 years$79,436
Control & Instrument Technician II3-5 years$87,995
Control & Instrument Technician III5-7 years$97,096
Control & Instrument Engineering Manager7+ years$167,353

Top Paying Cities for Control & Instrument 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: $122,467
  • San Francisco: $121,126
  • Oakland: $118,574

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

Control & Instrument Technician III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $108,771. While startup companies pay approximate $92,100.

Control & Instrument Technician III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $92,100
Growth Stage 51~500 $97,374
Established 501~5000 $105,058
Enterprise 5000+ $108,771

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

For Control & Instrument 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 Aerospace & Defense and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Control & Instrument Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Control & Instrument Technician III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Control & Instrument Technician III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$126,225$61.030%
Software & Networking$121,370$58.025%
Biotechnology$116,515$56.020%
Construction$111,660$54.015%
Pharmaceuticals$111,660$54.015%

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

Understanding how a Control & Instrument 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
$89,277
Average $97,096/year
$105,454
$7,440
Average $8,091/month
$8,788
$1,717
Average $1,867/week
$2,028
$43
Average $47/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $105,454 $8,788 $2,028 $51
Average $97,096 $8,091 $1,867 $47
25th Percentile $89,277 $7,440 $1,717 $43

Control & Instrument Technician III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Control & Instrument Technician III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Control & Instrument Engineering Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $167,353 - a projected growth of 72% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Control & Instrument Technician III

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

Common company salaries for Control & Instrument Technician III

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

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FAQ about Control & Instrument Technician III

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

A Control & Instrument 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 Control & Instrument Technician III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Control & Instrument Technician III is $122,467.

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

The highest pay for Control & Instrument Technician III is $113,064.

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

The lowest pay for Control & Instrument Technician III is $82,158.

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

Supports the engineering design and development of electrical control and automation systems and devices. Provides setup, configuration, troubleshooting and repair of electrical control systems and prototypes. Assists with testing of systems, devices, and instruments. Documents testing procedures, and measures and records performance results following established methods. Maintains the inventory of supplies and tools used for testing and maintenance. Typically requires an associate degree in engineering or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Independently performs a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors. Has gained full proficiency in a broad range of activities related to the job. Typically requires 5-7 years of related experience.

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Control & Instrument 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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