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Project Planner III Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Planner III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Planner III in the United States is $110,876 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $129,354
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $98,175 to $120,548
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86,611
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Project Planner III Salaries

A Project Planner 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 Project Planner III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Planner 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:

  • Project Planner I (0-2 years): $70,704
  • Project Planner II (2-4 years): $83,714
  • Project Planner III (4-7 years): $110,876
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Project Planner I0-2 years$70,704
Project Planner II2-4 years$83,714
Project Planner III4-7 years$110,876
View as Graph

How Do Project Planner 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 Project Planner IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $122,762.
  • California: $122,296.
  • Massachusetts: $120,666.

Top Paying Cities for Project Planner 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: $139,848
  • San Francisco: $138,317
  • Oakland: $135,402

What Skills Can Increase a Project Planner III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 12.33% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Quality Assurance (Mentioned in 1.11% Job Postings): Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 12.33%
Billing 1.62%
Quality Assurance 1.11%
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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 Project Planner III's salary.

  • Construction Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Construction Management $116,420
5%
Verbal Communication $114,202
3%
Risk Management $114,202
3%
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Project Planner III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Project Planner III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $124,119. While startup companies pay approximate $105,002.

Project Planner III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $105,002
Growth Stage 51~500 $111,052
Established 501~5000 $119,859
Enterprise 5000+ $124,119

Project Planner III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Planner III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Project Planner positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Planner III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Planner III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$133,051$64.020%
Pharmaceuticals$133,051$64.020%
Financial Services$127,507$61.015%
Biotechnology$121,964$59.010%
Internet$121,964$59.010%

How Education impacts an Project Planner III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Planner 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 Project Planner III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $105,050 and $114,213.

Project Planner III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Planner III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.5%
High School 10.5%
Associates 5.3%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 34.2%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Project Planner III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Planner 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
$98,175
Average $110,876/year
$120,548
$8,181
Average $9,240/month
$10,046
$1,888
Average $2,132/week
$2,318
$47
Average $53/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $120,548 $10,046 $2,318 $58
Average $110,876 $9,240 $2,132 $53
25th Percentile $98,175 $8,181 $1,888 $47

Project Planner III Salary Growth & Career Path

Project Planner III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Project Planner 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
EHR Project Manager, Sr. $131,795 19%
Manufacturing Project Manager IV $129,869 17%
Engineering Program Manager IV $129,869 17%
Project Manager IV $130,589 18%

Most common benefits for Project Planner III

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

Common company salaries for Project Planner III

Here are companies hiring for Project Planner III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Project Planner III

1. Where can a Project Planner III earn the most?

A Project Planner 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 Project Planner III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Project Planner III is $139,848.

2. What is the highest pay for Project Planner III?

The highest pay for Project Planner III is $129,354.

3. What is the lowest pay for Project Planner III?

The lowest pay for Project Planner III is $86,611.

4. What are the responsibilities of Project Planner III?

Responsible for planning and scheduling various project workloads. Gathers and analyzes information to prepare status reports. Ensures that assignment and scheduling of work follows company policy. Evaluates current procedures and recommends changes to improve the efficiency of planning and scheduling of projects. Prepares reports for management and maintains all essential records and reports. Ensures that all work orders and projects are properly documented and closed in scheduling systems. Determines the level of schedule compliance and identifies reasons for completion shortfalls. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a 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 Project Planner III?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Planner 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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