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Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salary in California

How much does a Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III make in California?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III in California is $127,767 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

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): $142,939
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $119,159 to $135,709
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $111,322
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View as table View as graph 25% $119,159 10% $111,322 90% $142,939 75% $135,709 $127,767 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $135,709 $11,309 $2,610 $65
Average $127,767 $10,647 $2,457 $61
25th Percentile $119,159 $9,930 $2,292 $57
Check out Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Job Openings in California
Head of Guidance Navigation and Control

Confidential - Los Angeles, CA

Head of Guidance Navigation and Control

Confidential - Los Angeles, CA

Principal Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer

Space Kinetic - El Segundo, CA

Principal Guidance Navigation &amp Control Engineer

K2 Space - Los Angeles, CA

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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 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): $90,746
  • Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer II (2-4 years): $104,219
  • Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III (4-7 years): $127,767
  • Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV (7+ years): $149,427
  • Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer V (7-10 years): $185,946
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer I0-2 years$90,746
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer II2-4 years$104,219
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III4-7 years$127,767
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV7+ years$149,427
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer V7-10 years$185,946
$90,746 Guidance,...
$104,219 Guidance,...
$127,767 Guidance,...
$149,427 Guidance,...
$185,946 Guidance,...
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Top Paying Cities for Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer 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:

  • Los Angeles: $127,987
  • West Hollywood: $127,895
  • Dodgertown: $127,986

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 $142,906. While startup companies pay approximate $120,856.

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$120,856
Growth Stage51~500$127,824
Established501~5000$138,003
Enterprise5000+$142,906

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$153,321$74.020%
Software & Networking$153,321$74.020%
Pharmaceuticals$146,932$71.015%
Energy & Utilities$140,544$68.010%
Telecom$140,544$68.010%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$119,159
Average $127,767/year
$135,709
$9,930
Average $10,647/month
$11,309
$2,292
Average $2,457/week
$2,610
$57
Average $61/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $135,709 $11,309 $2,610 $65
Average $127,767 $10,647 $2,457 $61
25th Percentile $119,159 $9,930 $2,292 $57

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

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III
Aeronautical Engineer IV
Aerospace Engineer IV
Engineer IV
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV
Aeronautical Engineering Director
Aerospace Engineer V
Engineering Director
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer V

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.

Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aeronautical Engineer IV $154,588 21%
Aerospace Engineer IV $154,585 21%
Engineer IV $154,588 21%
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV $149,427 17%

Salaries of jobs related to Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer III

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