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Sterilization Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sterilization Engineer III in the United States is $110,386 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $144,824
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,225 to $128,412
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,258

Key Factors That Influence Sterilization Engineer III Salaries

A Sterilization 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 Sterilization Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Sterilization 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $109,418
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $109,580
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $109,902
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $113,615
  • Expert (over 8 years): $119,803
Levels Salary
Entry Level Sterilization Engineer III$109,418
Intermediate Level Sterilization Engineer III$109,580
Senior Level Sterilization Engineer III$109,902
Specialist Level Sterilization Engineer III$113,615
Expert Level Sterilization Engineer III$119,803

Top Paying Cities for Sterilization 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: $139,230
  • San Francisco: $137,705
  • Oakland: $134,803

Sterilization Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Sterilization Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $123,571. While startup companies pay approximate $104,538.

Sterilization Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $104,538
Growth Stage 51~500 $110,561
Established 501~5000 $119,329
Enterprise 5000+ $123,571

Sterilization Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industry for a Sterilization Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$132,463$64.020%

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

Understanding how a Sterilization 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
$108,225
Average $110,386/year
$128,412
$9,019
Average $9,199/month
$10,701
$2,081
Average $2,123/week
$2,469
$52
Average $53/hour
$62
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $128,412 $10,701 $2,469 $62
Average $110,386 $9,199 $2,123 $53
25th Percentile $108,225 $9,019 $2,081 $52

Sterilization Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Sterilization Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Sterilization Engineering Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $121,812 - a projected growth of 10% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Sterilization Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Sterilization Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Sterilization Engineer III

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

A Sterilization 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 Sterilization Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Sterilization Engineer III is $139,230.

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

The highest pay for Sterilization Engineer III is $144,824.

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

The lowest pay for Sterilization Engineer III is $106,258.

4. What are the responsibilities of Sterilization Engineer III?

Develops and supports sterilization processes to ensure manufactured products meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements. Designs, validates, and maintains sterilization processes using methods such as steam, ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide, or radiation. Performs process validation activities including IQ, OQ, and PQ in accordance with regulatory and quality standards. Analyzes sterilization data and investigates process deviations, nonconformances, and corrective actions. Collaborates with manufacturing, quality, and product development teams to support new product introductions and process changes. Maintains technical documentation, protocols, and reports to ensure compliance with internal procedures and external regulations. 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 Sterilization Engineer III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Sterilization 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.)

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