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Mechanical Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Engineer III in the United States is $108,341 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $123,701
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,923 to $116,381
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $94,169
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Mechanical Engineer III Salaries

A Mechanical 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 Mechanical Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical 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:

  • Mechanical Engineer I (0-2 years): $79,500
  • Mechanical Engineer II (2-4 years): $93,746
  • Mechanical Engineer III (4-7 years): $108,341
  • Mechanical Engineer IV (7+ years): $129,094
  • Mechanical Engineer V (7-10 years): $148,543
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Mechanical Engineer I0-2 years$79,500
Mechanical Engineer II2-4 years$93,746
Mechanical Engineer III4-7 years$108,341
Mechanical Engineer IV7+ years$129,094
Mechanical Engineer V7-10 years$148,543
View as Graph

How Do Mechanical Engineer IIIs 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 Mechanical Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $119,955.
  • California: $119,500.
  • Massachusetts: $117,908.

Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Engineer 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: $136,651
  • San Francisco: $135,154
  • Oakland: $132,306

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 9% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Design Engineering (Mentioned in 2.54% Job Postings): Creating a system, component, or process to develop new products and systems.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.84% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 9%
Design Engineering 2.54%
AutoCAD 1.84%
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 Mechanical Engineer III's salary.

  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Computer Vision: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Salesforce: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prototyping $112,675
4%
Computer Vision $112,675
4%
Salesforce $111,591
3%
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Mechanical Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Mechanical Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $121,281. While startup companies pay approximate $102,601.

Mechanical Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $102,601
Growth Stage 51~500 $108,513
Established 501~5000 $117,119
Enterprise 5000+ $121,281

Mechanical Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Mechanical 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 Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Mechanical Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$130,009$63.020%
Biotechnology$130,009$63.020%
Business Services$130,009$63.020%
Chemicals$130,009$63.020%
Construction$130,009$63.020%

How Education impacts an Mechanical Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mechanical 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 Mechanical Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $110,889 and $116,664.

Mechanical Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Mechanical Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 0.4%
Associates 1.6%
Bachelors 48.7%
Masters 38.9%
Doctorate 10.3%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Mechanical 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 August 01, 2026
$100,923
Average $108,341/year
$116,381
$8,410
Average $9,028/month
$9,698
$1,941
Average $2,083/week
$2,238
$49
Average $52/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $116,381 $9,698 $2,238 $56
Average $108,341 $9,028 $2,083 $52
25th Percentile $100,923 $8,410 $1,941 $49

Mechanical Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Mechanical Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Mechanical 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
Mechanical Product Engineer IV $131,594 21%
Mechanical Engineer IV $129,094 19%

Most common benefits for Mechanical Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Mechanical Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Mechanical Engineer III

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

A Mechanical 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 Mechanical Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Mechanical Engineer III is $136,651.

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

The highest pay for Mechanical Engineer III is $123,701.

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

The lowest pay for Mechanical Engineer III is $94,169.

4. What are the responsibilities of Mechanical Engineer III?

Designs, analyzes, and maintains mechanical components and systems to meet specified requirements and standards. Utilizes technical instruments to develop specifications for new parts, modifications, or prototypes. Identifies appropriate materials and processes to ensure the quality, performance, and manufacturability of products. Utilizes CAD software and other design and modeling tools to plan, develop, and improve mechanical parts or components and communicate conceptual designs and specifications to stakeholders. Conducts prototype testing to evaluate the performance, reliability, and safety of mechanical systems and collects and analyzes data for improvements. Analyzes and troubleshoots mechanical issues or failures to identify root causes and develop solutions. Requires a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. 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 Mechanical Engineer III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Mechanical Engineer 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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