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Process Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Process Engineer III in the United States is $110,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $126,473
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,350 to $118,713
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $91,391
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Process Engineer III Salaries

A Process 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 Process Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Process 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:

  • Process Engineer I (0-2 years): $86,619
  • Process Engineer II (2-4 years): $99,271
  • Process Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,190
  • Process Engineer IV (7+ years): $134,690
  • Process Engineering Supervisor (7+ years): $117,505
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Process Engineer I0-2 years$86,619
Process Engineer II2-4 years$99,271
Process Engineer III4-7 years$110,190
Process Engineer IV7+ years$134,690
Process Engineering Supervisor7+ years$117,505
View as Graph

How Do Process 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 Process Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $122,002.
  • California: $121,540.
  • Massachusetts: $119,920.

Top Paying Cities for Process 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: $138,983
  • San Francisco: $137,461
  • Oakland: $134,564

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.34% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Chemical Engineering (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilisation of nano-technology and nano-materials in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and products. Chemical engineers are involved in many aspects of plant design and operation, including safety and hazard assessments, process design and analysis, modeling, control engineering, chemical reaction engineering, nuclear engineering, biological engineering, construction specification, and operating instructions. Chemical engineers typically hold a degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. Practising engineers may have professional certification and be accredited members of a professional body. Such bodies include the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) or the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). A degree in chemical engineering is directly linked with all of the other engineering disciplines, to various extents.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.34%
Chemical Engineering 1.76%
Installation 1.51%
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 Process Engineer III's salary.

  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Semiconductors $114,598
4%
Product Development $113,496
3%
Alignment $113,496
3%
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Process Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Process Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $123,667. While startup companies pay approximate $104,721.

Process Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $104,721
Growth Stage 51~500 $110,720
Established 501~5000 $119,451
Enterprise 5000+ $123,667

Process Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Process Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Telecom and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Process Engineer positions in Transportation or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Process Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Process Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Telecom$154,266$74.040%
Healthcare$143,247$69.030%
Biotechnology$132,228$64.020%
Pharmaceuticals$126,718$61.015%
Chemicals$121,209$58.010%

How Education impacts an Process Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Process 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 Process Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $106,660 and $111,383.

Process Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Process Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 1.8%
Associates 1.2%
Bachelors 44.2%
Masters 33.9%
Doctorate 18.9%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Process 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
$100,350
Average $110,190/year
$118,713
$8,363
Average $9,183/month
$9,893
$1,930
Average $2,119/week
$2,283
$48
Average $53/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $118,713 $9,893 $2,283 $57
Average $110,190 $9,183 $2,119 $53
25th Percentile $100,350 $8,363 $1,930 $48

Process Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Process Engineer III

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Advancement

For a Process Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Process Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $134,690 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Process Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Process Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Process Engineer III

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

A Process 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 Process Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Process Engineer III is $138,983.

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

The highest pay for Process Engineer III is $126,473.

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

The lowest pay for Process Engineer III is $91,391.

4. What are the responsibilities of Process Engineer III?

Develops and optimizes continuous production and manufacturing processes to achieve the output, quality, and cost goals of the organization. Collects production data and applies standard scientific and statistical methods to analyze, document, and diagram production processes. Identifies process bottlenecks and devises solutions to resolve. Recommends changes or upgrades to equipment, work methods, or other aspects of the process to improve efficiency and utilization of resources including labor, energy and raw materials. May act as a knowledge resource and guide for less experienced engineers. May work on processes for new or more complex products. Requires a bachelor's degree of engineering. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience.

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

The Telecom industry offers the highest average compensation for Process 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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