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Radio Frequency Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Radio Frequency Engineer III in the United States is $120,758 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,718
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,712 to $130,159
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,387
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Radio Frequency Engineer III Salaries

A Radio Frequency 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 Radio Frequency Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Radio Frequency 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:

  • Radio Frequency Engineer I (0-2 years): $89,522
  • Radio Frequency Engineer II (2-4 years): $99,500
  • Radio Frequency Engineer III (4-7 years): $120,758
  • Radio Frequency Engineer IV (7+ years): $143,786
  • Radio Frequency Engineer V (7-10 years): $177,640
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Radio Frequency Engineer I0-2 years$89,522
Radio Frequency Engineer II2-4 years$99,500
Radio Frequency Engineer III4-7 years$120,758
Radio Frequency Engineer IV7+ years$143,786
Radio Frequency Engineer V7-10 years$177,640
View as Graph

How Do Radio Frequency 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 Radio Frequency Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $133,703.
  • California: $133,196.
  • Massachusetts: $131,421.

Top Paying Cities for Radio Frequency 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: $152,312
  • San Francisco: $150,644
  • Oakland: $147,470

What Skills Can Increase a Radio Frequency Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 20.21% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Schematic (Mentioned in 2.33% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 20.21%
Schematic 2.33%
Computer Science 1.3%
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 Radio Frequency Engineer III's salary.

  • Hardware Design: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Security Clearance: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Systems Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Hardware Design $138,872
15%
Security Clearance $138,872
15%
Systems Engineering $138,872
15%
Get Latest Data

Radio Frequency Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Radio Frequency Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $136,263. While startup companies pay approximate $115,321.

Radio Frequency Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $115,321
Growth Stage 51~500 $121,953
Established 501~5000 $131,602
Enterprise 5000+ $136,263

Radio Frequency Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Radio Frequency Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Radio Frequency Engineer positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Radio Frequency Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Radio Frequency Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$169,061$81.040%
Pharmaceuticals$156,985$75.030%
Energy & Utilities$144,910$70.020%
Internet$138,872$67.015%
Biotechnology$132,834$64.010%

Radio Frequency Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Radio Frequency 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
$112,712
Average $120,758/year
$130,159
$9,393
Average $10,063/month
$10,847
$2,168
Average $2,322/week
$2,503
$54
Average $58/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $130,159 $10,847 $2,503 $63
Average $120,758 $10,063 $2,322 $58
25th Percentile $112,712 $9,393 $2,168 $54

Radio Frequency Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Radio Frequency Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Radio Frequency 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
Signal & Image Processing Engineer IV $147,097 22%
Electrical Engineer IV $143,786 19%
Electronics Engineer IV $143,786 19%
Radio Frequency Engineer IV $143,786 19%

Most common benefits for Radio Frequency Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Radio Frequency Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Radio Frequency Engineer III

1. Where can a Radio Frequency Engineer III earn the most?

A Radio Frequency 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 Radio Frequency Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Radio Frequency Engineer III is $152,312.

2. What is the highest pay for Radio Frequency Engineer III?

The highest pay for Radio Frequency Engineer III is $138,718.

3. What is the lowest pay for Radio Frequency Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Radio Frequency Engineer III is $105,387.

4. What are the responsibilities of Radio Frequency Engineer III?

Designs, develops, and optimizes radio frequency (RF) systems used in wireless communications, radar, and other electronic applications. Performs system-level and component-level analysis, including simulation, testing, and tuning of antennas, amplifiers, filters, and circuits. Evaluates and troubleshoots RF performance issues such as interference, signal integrity, and power efficiency to ensure optimal operation and compliance with regulatory standards. Prepares technical documentation, including design specifications, testing reports, and component evaluations. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to integrate RF components into larger systems and support product development from concept through production. 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 Radio Frequency Engineer III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Radio Frequency 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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