As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Process Engineer III in California is $121,516 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Process Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Process Engineer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $130,891 | $10,908 | $2,517 | $63 |
| Average | $121,516 | $10,126 | $2,337 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,583 | $9,215 | $2,127 | $53 |
Johnson Controls - Huntington Beach , CA
B. Braun US Pharmaceutical Manufacturing LLC - Irvine , CA
22nd Century Technologies, Inc. - Irvine, CA
Beacon Hill - Edwards AFB, CA
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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Process Engineer III | $116,621 |
| Intermediate Level Process Engineer III | $117,437 |
| Senior Level Process Engineer III | $118,742 |
| Specialist Level Process Engineer III | $122,216 |
| Expert Level Process Engineer III | $125,714 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
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:
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $130,891 | $10,908 | $2,517 | $63 |
| Average | $121,516 | $10,126 | $2,337 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,583 | $9,215 | $2,127 | $53 |
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 $148,502 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Process Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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