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How much does a Cost Engineer III make in Applegate, CA?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Engineer III in Applegate, CA is $113,713 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,500
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,621 to $123,547
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $88,701

Key Factors That Influence Cost Engineer III Salaries

A Cost 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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cost Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cost 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:

  • Cost Engineer I (0-2 years): $74,032
  • Cost Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,453
  • Cost Engineer III (4-7 years): $113,713
  • Cost Engineer IV (7+ years): $138,031
  • Cost Engineer V (7-10 years): $162,649
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cost Engineer I0-2 years$74,032
Cost Engineer II2-4 years$90,453
Cost Engineer III4-7 years$113,713
Cost Engineer IV7+ years$138,031
Cost Engineer V7-10 years$162,649

Top Paying Cities for Cost 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: $136,971
  • San Francisco: $135,471
  • Oakland: $132,616

What Skills Can Increase a Cost Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.58% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Construction Accounting (Mentioned in 2.97% Job Postings): A form of project accounting applied to construction projects. Construction accounting is a vitally necessary form of accounting, especially when multiple contracts come into play.
  • KPI (Mentioned in 1.98% Job Postings): KPI stands for key performance indicator, a quantifiable measure of performance over time for a specific objective.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.58%
Construction Accounting 2.97%
KPI 1.98%

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 Cost Engineer III's salary.

  • ERP Systems: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
ERP Systems $130,770
15%
Prototyping $128,496
13%
Program Management $127,359
12%

Cost Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cost Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,079. While startup companies pay approximate $107,496.

Cost Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $107,496
Growth Stage 51~500 $113,688
Established 501~5000 $122,711
Enterprise 5000+ $127,079

Cost Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cost Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Cost Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cost Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$119,455$57.010%
Pharmaceuticals$119,455$57.010%
Healthcare$117,283$56.08%
Insurance$116,197$56.07%
Internet$116,197$56.07%

Cost Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cost 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 September 01, 2026
$100,621
Average $113,713/year
$123,547
$8,385
Average $9,476/month
$10,296
$1,935
Average $2,187/week
$2,376
$48
Average $55/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $123,547 $10,296 $2,376 $59
Average $113,713 $9,476 $2,187 $55
25th Percentile $100,621 $8,385 $1,935 $48

Cost Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Cost Engineer 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.

Cost Engineer III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
EHR Project Manager, Sr. $138,005 21%
Manufacturing Project Manager IV $135,988 20%
Engineering Program Manager IV $135,988 20%
Project Manager IV $136,742 20%

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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