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Manufacturing Engineering Technician III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Engineering Technician III in the United States is $68,917 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,787
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,341 to $75,130
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,264

Key Factors That Influence Manufacturing Engineering Technician III Salaries

A Manufacturing Engineering Technician 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 Manufacturing Engineering Technician III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manufacturing Engineering Technician 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 Engineering Technician I (0-1 years): $49,775
  • Manufacturing Engineering Technician II (1-3 years): $61,128
  • Manufacturing Engineering Technician III (3-5 years): $68,917
  • Manufacturing Engineer Supervisor (5+ years): $98,431
  • Manufacturing Engineer Senior Supervisor (5+ years): $125,285
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Manufacturing Engineering Technician I0-1 years$49,775
Manufacturing Engineering Technician II1-3 years$61,128
Manufacturing Engineering Technician III3-5 years$68,917
Manufacturing Engineer Supervisor5+ years$98,431
Manufacturing Engineer Senior Supervisor5+ years$125,285

Top Paying Cities for Manufacturing Engineering Technician 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: $86,925
  • San Francisco: $85,973
  • Oakland: $84,161

What Skills Can Increase a Manufacturing Engineering Technician III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 8.36% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.41% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Welding (Mentioned in 1.7% Job Postings): Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool causing fusion. Welding is distinct from lower temperature metal-joining techniques such as brazing and soldering, which do not melt the base metal. In addition to melting the base metal, a filler material is typically added to the joint to form a pool of molten material (the weld pool) that cools to form a joint that, based on weld configuration (butt, full penetration, fillet, etc.), can be stronger than the base material (parent metal). Pressure may also be used in conjunction with heat, or by itself, to produce a weld. Welding also requires a form of shield to protect the filler metals or melted metals from being contaminated or oxidized. Many different energy sources can be used for welding, including a gas flame (chemical), an electric arc (electrical), a laser, an electron beam, friction, and ultrasound. While often an industrial process, welding may be performed in many different environments, including in open air, under water, and in outer space. Welding is a hazardous undertaking and precautions are required to avoid burns, electric shock, vision damage, inhalation of poisonous gases and fumes, and exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 8.36%
Microsoft Office 2.41%
Welding 1.7%

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 Engineering Technician III's salary.

  • Physical Therapy: Can increase your salary by up to 33%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Quality Control: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Physical Therapy $91,660
33%
Patient Care $82,011
19%
Quality Control $75,809
10%

Manufacturing Engineering Technician III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Manufacturing Engineering Technician III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $77,442. While startup companies pay approximate $65,562.

Manufacturing Engineering Technician III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,562
Growth Stage 51~500 $69,323
Established 501~5000 $74,798
Enterprise 5000+ $77,442

Manufacturing Engineering Technician III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Manufacturing Engineering Technician 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 Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Manufacturing Engineering Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Manufacturing Engineering Technician III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Manufacturing Engineering Technician III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$82,700$40.020%
Biotechnology$79,255$38.015%
Pharmaceuticals$79,255$38.015%
Aerospace & Defense$75,809$36.010%
Energy & Utilities$75,809$36.010%

Manufacturing Engineering Technician III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Manufacturing Engineering Technician 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
$63,341
Average $68,917/year
$75,130
$5,278
Average $5,743/month
$6,261
$1,218
Average $1,325/week
$1,445
$30
Average $33/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,130 $6,261 $1,445 $36
Average $68,917 $5,743 $1,325 $33
25th Percentile $63,341 $5,278 $1,218 $30

Manufacturing Engineering Technician III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Manufacturing Engineering Technician 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.

Manufacturing Engineering Technician III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Biopharma Manufacturing Engineering Manager $128,191 86%
Manufacturing System Engineering Supervisor $124,018 80%
Manufacturing Engineer Supervisor $98,431 43%
Production Engineering Supervisor $113,404 65%

Most common benefits for Manufacturing Engineering Technician III

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

Common company salaries for Manufacturing Engineering Technician III

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

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FAQ about Manufacturing Engineering Technician III

1. Where can a Manufacturing Engineering Technician III earn the most?

A Manufacturing Engineering Technician 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 Engineering Technician III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Manufacturing Engineering Technician III is $86,925.

2. What is the highest pay for Manufacturing Engineering Technician III?

The highest pay for Manufacturing Engineering Technician III is $80,787.

3. What is the lowest pay for Manufacturing Engineering Technician III?

The lowest pay for Manufacturing Engineering Technician III is $58,264.

4. What are the responsibilities of Manufacturing Engineering Technician III?

Provides technical support to engineers during the design of manufacturing processes for a production facility. Assists in the development of layouts or floor plans, conducts tests and troubleshoots equipment. Documents test procedures and results. Solves routine technical problems. May assist or train less experienced technicians. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Manufacturing Engineering Technician 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.

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