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Drilling Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Drilling Engineer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drilling Engineer III in the United States is $169,999 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $82.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $194,602
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $152,040 to $182,877
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $135,689

Key Factors That Influence Drilling Engineer III Salaries

A Drilling 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Drilling Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Drilling 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:

  • Drilling Engineer I (0-2 years): $116,576
  • Drilling Engineer II (2-4 years): $137,181
  • Drilling Engineer III (4-7 years): $169,999
  • Drilling Engineer IV (7+ years): $189,212
  • Drilling Engineer V (7-10 years): $225,956
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Drilling Engineer I0-2 years$116,576
Drilling Engineer II2-4 years$137,181
Drilling Engineer III4-7 years$169,999
Drilling Engineer IV7+ years$189,212
Drilling Engineer V7-10 years$225,956

Top Paying Cities for Drilling 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: $214,420
  • San Francisco: $212,072
  • Oakland: $207,603

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.74% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • FOCUS (Mentioned in 2.91% Job Postings): Focus is the thinking skill that allows people to begin a task without procrastination and then maintain their attention and effort until the task is complete.
  • Safety Management (Mentioned in 2.91% Job Postings): Applying safety principles, framework, processes, and measures to prevent accidents, injuries, and other adverse consequences.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.74%
FOCUS 2.91%
Safety Management 2.91%

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 Drilling Engineer III's salary.

  • Building Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Negotiating: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Building Maintenance $197,199
16%
Negotiating $190,399
12%
Insight $181,899
7%

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

Drilling Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $197,515. While startup companies pay approximate $167,293.

Drilling Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $167,293
Growth Stage 51~500 $176,861
Established 501~5000 $190,810
Enterprise 5000+ $197,515

How Education impacts an Drilling Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Drilling Engineer III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Drilling Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $150,445 and $160,715.

Drilling Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Drilling Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 12.5%
High School 12.5%
Associates 18.8%
Bachelors 62.5%
Masters 18.8%
Doctorate 6.3%

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

Understanding how a Drilling 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
$152,040
Average $169,999/year
$182,877
$12,670
Average $14,167/month
$15,240
$2,924
Average $3,269/week
$3,517
$73
Average $82/hour
$88
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $182,877 $15,240 $3,517 $88
Average $169,999 $14,167 $3,269 $82
25th Percentile $152,040 $12,670 $2,924 $73

Drilling Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

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

Drilling Engineer III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Drilling Engineer IV $189,212 11%
Reservoir Engineer IV $230,401 36%
Mine Engineer IV $129,094 -24%

Most common benefits for Drilling Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Drilling Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Drilling Engineer III

1. Where can a Drilling Engineer III earn the most?

A Drilling 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 Drilling Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Drilling Engineer III is $214,420.

2. What is the highest pay for Drilling Engineer III?

The highest pay for Drilling Engineer III is $194,602.

3. What is the lowest pay for Drilling Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Drilling Engineer III is $135,689.

4. What are the responsibilities of Drilling Engineer III?

Designs, plans, and oversees drilling operations of oil and gas wells. Performs design evaluations and makes recommendations to improve safety, lower cost, and increase efficiency. Analyzes data to identify trends, assess performance, and make adjustments to improve future drilling operations. 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.

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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