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Environmental Planner III Salary in the United States

How much does an Environmental Planner III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Environmental Planner III in the United States is $97,638 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $115,921
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,231 to $107,208
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,756
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Environmental Planner III Salaries

An Environmental Planner 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 Environmental Planner III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Environmental Planner 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:

  • Environmental Planner I (0-2 years): $66,818
  • Environmental Planner II (2-4 years): $80,844
  • Environmental Planner III (4-7 years): $97,638
  • Environmental Planner IV (7+ years): $113,171
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Environmental Planner I0-2 years$66,818
Environmental Planner II2-4 years$80,844
Environmental Planner III4-7 years$97,638
Environmental Planner IV7+ years$113,171
View as Graph

How Do Environmental Planner III 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 Environmental Planner IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $108,105.
  • California: $107,695.
  • Massachusetts: $106,259.

Top Paying Cities for Environmental Planner IIIs

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: $123,151
  • San Francisco: $121,802
  • Oakland: $119,236

What Skills Can Increase an Environmental Planner III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 31.41% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Business Development (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Business development entails tasks and processes to develop and implement growth opportunities within and between organizations. It is a subset of the fields of business, commerce and organizational theory. Business development is the creation of long-term value for an organization from customers, markets, and relationships. Business development can be taken to mean any activity by either a small or large organization, non-profit or for-profit enterprise which serves the purpose of ‘developing’ the business in some way. In addition, business development activities can be done internally or externally by a business development consultant. External business development can be facilitated through Planning Systems, which are put in place by governments to help small businesses. In addition, reputation building has also proven to help facilitate business development.
  • Environmental Assessment (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): Evaluating the potential impacts of proposed actions on the environment and identifying alternative options to reduce or eliminate them.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 31.41%
Business Development 1.86%
Environmental Assessment 1.28%
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 Environmental Planner III's salary.

  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Sense Of Urgency: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Accountability $105,449
8%
Sense Of Urgency $104,473
7%
Business Development $104,473
7%
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Environmental Planner III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Environmental Planner III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $109,115. While startup companies pay approximate $92,300.

Environmental Planner III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $92,300
Growth Stage 51~500 $97,616
Established 501~5000 $105,364
Enterprise 5000+ $109,115

Environmental Planner III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Environmental Planner III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Environmental Planner positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Environmental Planner III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Environmental Planner III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$146,457$70.050%
Aerospace & Defense$126,929$61.030%
Biotechnology$117,166$56.020%

How Education impacts an Environmental Planner III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Environmental Planner 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 Environmental Planner III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $106,245 and $113,528.

Environmental Planner III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Environmental Planner III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.7%
High School 40.0%
Associates 53.3%
Bachelors 40.0%
Masters 53.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Environmental Planner III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Environmental Planner 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
$87,231
Average $97,638/year
$107,208
$7,269
Average $8,137/month
$8,934
$1,678
Average $1,878/week
$2,062
$42
Average $47/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $107,208 $8,934 $2,062 $52
Average $97,638 $8,137 $1,878 $47
25th Percentile $87,231 $7,269 $1,678 $42

Environmental Planner III Salary Growth & Career Path

Environmental Planner III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Environmental Planner 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
Environmental Planner IV $113,171 16%
Sustainability Analyst III $118,248 21%

Most common benefits for Environmental Planner III

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

Common company salaries for Environmental Planner III

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

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FAQ about Environmental Planner III

1. Where can an Environmental Planner III earn the most?

An Environmental Planner 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 Environmental Planner III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Environmental Planner III is $123,151.

2. What is the highest pay for Environmental Planner III?

The highest pay for Environmental Planner III is $115,921.

3. What is the lowest pay for Environmental Planner III?

The lowest pay for Environmental Planner III is $77,756.

4. What are the responsibilities of Environmental Planner III?

Plans, prepares, and monitors environmental research and evaluates potential impact of assigned projects. Ensures environmental projects are in compliance with the state and federal regulations. Estimate the level of pollutants involving air, land, and water to devise mitigating measures. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to a manager. Typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Environmental Planner III?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Environmental Planner III roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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