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Internal Auditor III Salary in the United States

How much does an Internal Auditor III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Internal Auditor III in the United States is $89,357 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $101,653
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $82,473 to $95,793
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $76,205

Key Factors That Influence Internal Auditor III Salaries

An Internal Auditor 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 Internal Auditor III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Internal Auditor 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:

  • Internal Auditor I (0-2 years): $67,646
  • Internal Auditor II (2-4 years): $78,307
  • Internal Auditor III (4-7 years): $89,357
  • Internal Auditor IV (7+ years): $110,976
  • Internal Auditor V (7-10 years): $139,604
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Internal Auditor I0-2 years$67,646
Internal Auditor II2-4 years$78,307
Internal Auditor III4-7 years$89,357
Internal Auditor IV7+ years$110,976
Internal Auditor V7-10 years$139,604

Top Paying Cities for Internal Auditor 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: $112,706
  • San Francisco: $111,472
  • Oakland: $109,123

What Skills Can Increase an Internal Auditor III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 3.16% 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.
  • Risk Assessment (Mentioned in 2.65% Job Postings): Broadly speaking, a risk assessment is the combined effort of: identifying and analyzing potential (future) events that may negatively impact individuals, assets, and/or the environment (i.e. risk analysis); and making judgments "on the tolerability of the risk on the basis of a risk analysis" while considering influencing factors (i.e. risk evaluation).Put in simpler terms, a risk assessment analyzes what can go wrong, how likely it is to happen, what the potential consequences are, and how tolerable the identified risk is. As part of this process, the resulting determination of risk may be expressed in a quantitative or qualitative fashion. The risk assessment is an inherent part of an overall risk management strategy, which attempts to, after a risk assessment, "introduce control measures to eliminate or reduce" any potential risk-related consequences.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 0.79% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 3.16%
Risk Assessment 2.65%
PowerPoint 0.79%

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 Internal Auditor III's salary.

  • Talent Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Risk Assessment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Talent Management $96,506
8%
Project Management $94,718
6%
Risk Assessment $94,718
6%

Internal Auditor III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Internal Auditor III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $100,030. While startup companies pay approximate $84,623.

Internal Auditor III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $84,623
Growth Stage 51~500 $89,499
Established 501~5000 $96,597
Enterprise 5000+ $100,030

Internal Auditor III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Internal Auditor III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Internal Auditor positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Internal Auditor III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Internal Auditor III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$116,164$56.030%

How Education impacts an Internal Auditor III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Internal Auditor 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 Internal Auditor III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $95,530 and $100,365.

Internal Auditor III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Internal Auditor III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 1.4%
Associates 0.8%
Bachelors 53.8%
Masters 43.4%
Doctorate 0.6%

Internal Auditor III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Internal Auditor 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
$82,473
Average $89,357/year
$95,793
$6,873
Average $7,446/month
$7,983
$1,586
Average $1,718/week
$1,842
$40
Average $43/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $95,793 $7,983 $1,842 $46
Average $89,357 $7,446 $1,718 $43
25th Percentile $82,473 $6,873 $1,586 $40

Internal Auditor III Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Internal Auditor III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Internal Auditor IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $110,976 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Internal Auditor III

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

Common company salaries for Internal Auditor III

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

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FAQ about Internal Auditor III

1. Where can an Internal Auditor III earn the most?

An Internal Auditor 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 Internal Auditor III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Internal Auditor III is $112,706.

2. What is the highest pay for Internal Auditor III?

The highest pay for Internal Auditor III is $101,653.

3. What is the lowest pay for Internal Auditor III?

The lowest pay for Internal Auditor III is $76,205.

4. What are the responsibilities of Internal Auditor III?

Conducts internal auditing according to auditing standards and regulatory requirements and using established auditing governance frameworks and procedures. Reviews internal processes, transactions, documentation, and systems to validate compliance, evaluate effectiveness, identify issues, and prepare reports and recommendations for remediation. May coordinate with or prepare reports for external auditors or regulatory bodies. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or 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 Internal Auditor III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Internal Auditor III roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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