As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineer III in the United States is $110,740 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:
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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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer I | 0-2 years | $79,663 |
| Engineer II | 2-4 years | $92,126 |
| Engineer III | 4-7 years | $110,740 |
| Engineer IV | 7+ years | $140,152 |
| Engineer V | 7-10 years | $161,832 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 6.08% |
| API | 2.09% |
| Java | 1.71% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
DevOps
|
$121,814 |
10%
|
|
JavaScript
|
$119,599 |
8%
|
|
Test Automation
|
$118,492 |
7%
|
|
AWS
|
$118,492 |
7%
|
|
Java
|
$117,384 |
6%
|
|
Team Development
|
$117,384 |
6%
|
Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $123,862. While startup companies pay approximate $104,750.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $104,750 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $110,790 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $119,612 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $123,862 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $155,036 | $75.0 | 40% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $143,962 | $69.0 | 30% |
| Media | $135,103 | $65.0 | 22% |
| Healthcare | $132,888 | $64.0 | 20% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $128,458 | $62.0 | 16% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineer IIIs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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
| 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% |
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 July 01, 2026Promotions 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 | $140,152 | 27% |
| Aerospace Engineer IV | $140,150 | 27% |
| Engineer IV | $140,152 | 27% |
| Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV | $135,473 | 22% |
Salaries for an Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $117,909 in 2023 to around $116,792 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Engineer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $117,909 |
| 2024 | $118,066 |
| 2025 | $116,792 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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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 $139,676.
The highest pay for Engineer III is $124,102.
The lowest pay for Engineer III is $96,538.
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.
The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
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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