As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Digital Design Engineer III in the United States is $127,448 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.
However, a Digital Design Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Digital Design Engineer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $135,647 | $11,304 | $2,609 | $65 |
| Average | $127,448 | $10,621 | $2,451 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,513 | $9,793 | $2,260 | $56 |
A Digital Design 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 Digital Design 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Design Engineer I | 0-2 years | $81,244 |
| Digital Design Engineer II | 2-4 years | $102,229 |
| Digital Design Engineer III | 4-7 years | $127,448 |
| Digital Design Engineer IV | 7+ years | $161,207 |
| Digital Design Engineer V | 7-10 years | $191,007 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 10.53% |
| Perl | 4.05% |
| Algorithms | 2.43% |
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 Digital Design Engineer III's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Perl | $138,918 | |
| ARM | $138,918 | |
| Cadence | $137,644 |
Digital Design Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $143,522. While startup companies pay approximate $121,462.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $121,462 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $128,441 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $138,609 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $143,522 |
Understanding how a Digital Design 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 | $135,647 | $11,304 | $2,609 | $65 |
| Average | $127,448 | $10,621 | $2,451 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,513 | $9,793 | $2,260 | $56 |
Next Role
Advancement
For a Digital Design Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Digital Design Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $161,207 - a projected growth of 26% over your current level.
Salaries for a Digital Design Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $132,755 in 2023 to around $124,207 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Digital Design Engineer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $132,755 |
| 2024 | $129,534 |
| 2025 | $124,207 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Digital Design 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 Digital Design Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Digital Design Engineer III is $160,750.
The highest pay for Digital Design Engineer III is $143,112.
The lowest pay for Digital Design Engineer III is $108,468.
Responsible for the digital design of integrated circuits and related development. Participates in all phases of physical design including floor planning, clock synthesis, timing optimization and signal integrity. Generates functional and design specifications, defines module interfaces, conducts design reviews and participates in design implementation. Requires knowledge of tools such as BIST, Verilog, IDDQ, and IC Design scripting language. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to 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 Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Digital Design Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
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