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Manufacturing Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Manufacturing Engineer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Engineer III in the United States is $103,177 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,908
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,078 to $112,458
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,794
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Manufacturing Engineer III Salaries

A Manufacturing 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.

How Experience Level Affects Manufacturing Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manufacturing 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:

  • Manufacturing Engineer I (0-2 years): $79,065
  • Manufacturing Engineer II (2-4 years): $89,629
  • Manufacturing Engineer III (4-7 years): $103,177
  • Manufacturing Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,865
  • Manufacturing Engineer V (7-10 years): $144,591
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Manufacturing Engineer I0-2 years$79,065
Manufacturing Engineer II2-4 years$89,629
Manufacturing Engineer III4-7 years$103,177
Manufacturing Engineer IV7+ years$125,865
Manufacturing Engineer V7-10 years$144,591
View as Graph

How Do Manufacturing Engineer 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 Manufacturing Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $114,238.
  • California: $113,804.
  • Massachusetts: $112,288.

Top Paying Cities for Manufacturing 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:

  • San Jose: $130,137
  • San Francisco: $128,712
  • Oakland: $126,000

What Skills Can Increase a Manufacturing Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Standard Operating Procedures (Mentioned in 4.16% Job Postings): A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 3.11% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
  • Lean (Mentioned in 1.96% Job Postings): Lean manufacturing, or lean production, is a system of techniques and activities for running a manufacturing or service operation.
Skills Demand Percentage
Standard Operating Procedures 4.16%
Food Safety 3.11%
Lean 1.96%
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 a Manufacturing Engineer III's salary.

  • ISO: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
ISO $108,336
5%
Decision Making $107,304
4%
Analysis $107,304
4%
Get Latest Data

Manufacturing Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Manufacturing Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,722. While startup companies pay approximate $97,963.

Manufacturing Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $97,963
Growth Stage 51~500 $103,581
Established 501~5000 $111,766
Enterprise 5000+ $115,722

Manufacturing Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Manufacturing 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 MFG Nondurable and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Manufacturing Engineer positions in Transportation or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Manufacturing Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Manufacturing Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$144,448$69.040%
Internet$139,289$67.035%
Aerospace & Defense$134,130$64.030%
Construction$128,971$62.025%
Business Services$123,812$60.020%

How Education impacts a Manufacturing Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Manufacturing Engineer 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 Manufacturing Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $107,927 and $112,983.

Manufacturing Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Manufacturing Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 3.7%
Associates 5.1%
Bachelors 58.3%
Masters 31.4%
Doctorate 1.3%
View as Graph

Manufacturing Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Manufacturing 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 September 01, 2026
$94,078
Average $103,177/year
$112,458
$7,840
Average $8,598/month
$9,372
$1,809
Average $1,984/week
$2,163
$45
Average $50/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $112,458 $9,372 $2,163 $54
Average $103,177 $8,598 $1,984 $50
25th Percentile $94,078 $7,840 $1,809 $45

Manufacturing Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Manufacturing Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Manufacturing 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
Biopharma Manufacturing Engineer IV $132,756 29%
Manufacturing System Engineer IV $112,715 9%
Manufacturing Engineer IV $125,865 22%
Production Engineer IV $125,865 22%

Most common benefits for Manufacturing Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Manufacturing Engineer III

Here are companies hiring for Manufacturing Engineer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Manufacturing Engineer III

1. Where can a Manufacturing Engineer III earn the most?

A Manufacturing 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 Manufacturing Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Manufacturing Engineer III is $130,137.

2. What is the highest pay for Manufacturing Engineer III?

The highest pay for Manufacturing Engineer III is $120,908.

3. What is the lowest pay for Manufacturing Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Manufacturing Engineer III is $85,794.

4. What are the responsibilities of Manufacturing Engineer III?

Plans and designs manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, and machining processes for a production facility. Evaluates assembly, fabrication, and machining processes to identify waste, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies. Utilizes knowledge of product design, equipment capabilities, assembly methods, and quality standards to develop and improve manufacturing processes, equipment, and capabilities. Maintains facility machinery and tools to ensure optimal functionality, effectiveness, and reliability. Analyzes product specifications to determine the parts, equipment, tools, and processes needed to achieve manufacturing objectives. 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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Manufacturing Engineer III?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Manufacturing Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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