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Materials Processing Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Materials Processing Engineer III in the United States is $113,679 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,743
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,539 to $123,658
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,128
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $105,539 10% $98,128 90% $132,743 75% $123,658 $113,679 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Materials Processing Engineer III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $123,658 $10,305 $2,378 $59
Average $113,679 $9,473 $2,186 $55
25th Percentile $105,539 $8,795 $2,030 $51
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Key Factors That Influence Materials Processing Engineer III Salaries

A Materials Processing 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 Materials Processing Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Materials Processing 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:

  • Materials Processing Engineer I (0-2 years): $87,763
  • Materials Processing Engineer II (2-4 years): $97,102
  • Materials Processing Engineer III (4-7 years): $113,679
  • Materials Processing Engineer IV (7+ years): $132,836
  • Materials Processing Engineer V (7-10 years): $153,013
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Materials Processing Engineer I0-2 years$87,763
Materials Processing Engineer II2-4 years$97,102
Materials Processing Engineer III4-7 years$113,679
Materials Processing Engineer IV7+ years$132,836
Materials Processing Engineer V7-10 years$153,013
$87,763 Materials...
$97,102 Materials...
$113,679 Materials...
$132,836 Materials...
$153,013 Materials...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Materials Processing 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: $143,383
  • San Francisco: $141,813
  • Oakland: $138,825

Materials Processing Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Materials Processing Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,149. While startup companies pay approximate $107,530.

Materials Processing Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$107,530
Growth Stage51~500$113,730
Established501~5000$122,787
Enterprise5000+$127,149

Materials Processing Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Materials Processing Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Materials Processing Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Materials Processing Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Materials Processing Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$142,099$68.025%
Insurance$136,415$66.020%
Software & Networking$130,731$63.015%
Financial Services$125,047$60.010%
Healthcare$125,047$60.010%

Materials Processing Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Materials Processing 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$105,539
Average $113,679/year
$123,658
$8,795
Average $9,473/month
$10,305
$2,030
Average $2,186/week
$2,378
$51
Average $55/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $123,658 $10,305 $2,378 $59
Average $113,679 $9,473 $2,186 $55
25th Percentile $105,539 $8,795 $2,030 $51

Materials Processing Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Materials Processing Engineer III
Materials Processing Engineer IV
Materials Processing Engineer Manager

For a Materials Processing Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Materials Processing Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $132,836 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Materials Processing Engineer III

Most common benefits for Materials Processing Engineer III

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Common company salaries for Materials Processing Engineer III

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FAQ about Materials Processing Engineer III

1. Where can a Materials Processing Engineer III earn the most?

A Materials Processing 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 Materials Processing Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Materials Processing Engineer III is $143,383.

2. What is the highest pay for Materials Processing Engineer III?

The highest pay for Materials Processing Engineer III is $132,743.

3. What is the lowest pay for Materials Processing Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Materials Processing Engineer III is $98,128.

4. What are the responsibilities of Materials Processing Engineer III?

Plans and designs processes for transforming raw materials into usable products, ensuring efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Utilizes engineering frameworks and methodologies to design or improve material processing operations including washing, hardening, shaping, or engraving. Analyzes material properties and characteristics to select the most suitable processing methods for specific applications. Conducts tests and measures throughout the processing cycle to monitor variables like temperature or pressure and ensure consistent and quality results. Creates and maintains standard documentation of specifications and processes to ensure procedures are well-documented and accessible for future needs. 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 Materials Processing Engineer III?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Materials Processing Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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