Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III in the United States is $115,836 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $129,587
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,033 to $123,034
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $100,929
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salaries

A Guidance, Navigation & Control 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.

How Experience Level Affects Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Guidance, Navigation & Control 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:

  • Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer I (0-2 years): $82,271
  • Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer II (2-4 years): $94,486
  • Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III (4-7 years): $115,836
  • Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV (7+ years): $135,471
  • Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer V (7-10 years): $168,584
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer I0-2 years$82,271
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer II2-4 years$94,486
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III4-7 years$115,836
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV7+ years$135,471
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer V7-10 years$168,584
View as Graph

How Do Guidance, Navigation & Control 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 Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $128,254.
  • California: $127,767.
  • Massachusetts: $126,064.

Top Paying Cities for Guidance, Navigation & Control 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: $146,104
  • San Francisco: $144,504
  • Oakland: $141,459

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $129,672. While startup companies pay approximate $109,699.

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $109,699
Growth Stage 51~500 $116,020
Established 501~5000 $125,221
Enterprise 5000+ $129,672

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$139,003$67.020%
Software & Networking$139,003$67.020%
Pharmaceuticals$133,211$64.015%
Energy & Utilities$127,420$61.010%
Telecom$127,420$61.010%

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Guidance, Navigation & Control 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
$108,033
Average $115,836/year
$123,034
$9,003
Average $9,653/month
$10,253
$2,078
Average $2,228/week
$2,366
$52
Average $56/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $123,034 $10,253 $2,366 $59
Average $115,836 $9,653 $2,228 $56
25th Percentile $108,033 $9,003 $2,078 $52

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Guidance, Navigation & Control 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 21%
Aerospace Engineer IV $140,152 21%
Engineer IV $140,155 21%
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV $135,471 17%

Most common benefits for Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III

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

Find Your Next Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III

1. Where can a Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III earn the most?

A Guidance, Navigation & Control 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 Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III is $146,104.

2. What is the highest pay for Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III?

The highest pay for Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III is $129,587.

3. What is the lowest pay for Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III is $100,929.

4. What are the responsibilities of Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III?

Designs, implements, and tests systems, algorithms, and simulation tools used to control the movement of vehicles. Performs trade studies, leads design reviews, creates models, and completes simulations and system testing. Develops algorithms and analyzes designs for performance and functionality. Evaluates results to determine issues and develops solutions. 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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job