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Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does an Engineer III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineer III in the United States is $110,735 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $124,102
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,299 to $117,732
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $96,529
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Engineer III Salaries

An 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 Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an 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:

  • Engineer I (0-2 years): $79,660
  • Engineer II (2-4 years): $92,122
  • Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,735
  • Engineer IV (7+ years): $140,155
  • Engineer V (7-10 years): $161,827
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineer I0-2 years$79,660
Engineer II2-4 years$92,122
Engineer III4-7 years$110,735
Engineer IV7+ years$140,155
Engineer V7-10 years$161,827
View as Graph

How Do Engineer IIIs Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $122,606.
  • California: $122,141.
  • Massachusetts: $120,513.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $139,670
  • San Francisco: $138,141
  • Oakland: $135,230

What Skills Can Increase an Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.08% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • API (Mentioned in 2.09% Job Postings): An application programming interface is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software.
  • Java (Mentioned in 1.71% Job Postings): Using Java in the development and maintenance of application programs and systems.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.08%
API 2.09%
Java 1.71%
See More Skills

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 an Engineer III's salary.

  • DevOps: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • JavaScript: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Test Automation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
DevOps $121,809
10%
JavaScript $119,594
8%
Test Automation $118,486
7%
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Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $123,961. While startup companies pay approximate $104,868.

Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $104,868
Growth Stage 51~500 $110,911
Established 501~5000 $119,707
Enterprise 5000+ $123,961

Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Engineer positions in Financial Services or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$155,029$75.040%
Aerospace & Defense$143,956$69.030%
Media$135,097$65.022%
Healthcare$132,882$64.020%
Retail & Wholesale$128,453$62.016%

How Education impacts an Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 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 Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $105,951 and $111,242.

Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 2.6%
Associates 3.5%
Bachelors 36.5%
Masters 41.6%
Doctorate 15.5%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an 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
$103,299
Average $110,735/year
$117,732
$8,608
Average $9,228/month
$9,811
$1,987
Average $2,130/week
$2,264
$50
Average $53/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $117,732 $9,811 $2,264 $57
Average $110,735 $9,228 $2,130 $53
25th Percentile $103,299 $8,608 $1,987 $50

Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aeronautical Engineer IV $140,155 27%
Aerospace Engineer IV $140,152 27%
Engineer IV $140,155 27%
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV $135,471 22%

Most common benefits for Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Engineer III

1. Where can an Engineer III earn the most?

An 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, an Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Engineer III is $139,670.

2. What is the highest pay for Engineer III?

The highest pay for Engineer III is $124,102.

3. What is the lowest pay for Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Engineer III is $96,529.

4. What are the responsibilities of Engineer III?

Utilizes engineering methodologies, principles, and tools to develop or improve technical products, systems, or processes that meet specified requirements and standards. Researches and identifies optimal materials and processes to ensure product quality, performance, and manufacturability. Utilizes CAD software and engineering methodologies to create blueprints, drawings, or models and communicate designs and specifications to stakeholders. Collaborates with stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure specifications are captured. Oversees prototype testing to evaluate the performance and reliability of designs, collect feedback, and draw meaningful insight for product improvements. Maintains detailed documentation of test results, processes, and specifications for future needs. Requires a bachelor's degree. 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 Engineer III?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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