upper level job

Hourly Wage for Telecommunications Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Telecommunications Engineer III make hourly?

As of July 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Telecommunications Engineer III in the United States is $57, which translates to an annual salary of about $118,302.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53 to $61 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49 per hour
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Recruit with AI
View as table View as graph 25% $53 10% $49 90% $65 75% $61 $57 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Telecommunications Engineer III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $126,721 $10,560 $2,437 $61
Average $118,302 $9,859 $2,275 $57
25th Percentile $109,580 $9,132 $2,107 $53
Check out Telecommunications Engineer III Job Openings in the United States
Design Engineer III

ACO, Inc. - Mentor, OH

Design Engineer III

ACO, Inc. - Mentor, OH

AVP iOS Software Development Engineer III

Synchrony Financial - Cincinnati Airport, OH

AVP iOS Software Development Engineer III

Synchrony Financial - Pisgah, OH

Search More Telecommunications Engineer III Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Telecommunications Engineer III Salaries

A Telecommunications 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 Telecommunications Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Telecommunications 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:

  • Telecommunications Engineer I (0-2 years): $69,475
  • Telecommunications Engineer II (2-4 years): $89,273
  • Telecommunications Engineer III (4-7 years): $118,302
  • Telecommunications Engineer IV (7+ years): $137,347
  • Telecommunications Engineer V (7-10 years): $154,631
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Telecommunications Engineer I0-2 years$69,475
Telecommunications Engineer II2-4 years$89,273
Telecommunications Engineer III4-7 years$118,302
Telecommunications Engineer IV7+ years$137,347
Telecommunications Engineer V7-10 years$154,631
$69,475 Telecommu...
$89,273 Telecommu...
$118,302 Telecommu...
$137,347 Telecommu...
$154,631 Telecommu...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Telecommunications Engineer IIIs

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: $149,214
  • San Francisco: $147,581
  • Oakland: $144,470

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 7.1% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Semiconductors (Mentioned in 2.48% Job Postings): Semiconductors are substances with properties somewhere between them. ICs(integrated circuits) and electronic discrete components such as diodes and transistors are made of semiconductors.
  • Dialysis (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): Utilizing knowledge of dialysis principles and procedures to treat individuals who suffer from kidney failure to regain normal kidney function.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 7.1%
Semiconductors 2.48%
Dialysis 1.64%
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 Telecommunications Engineer III's salary.
  • Calibration: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Career Development: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Customer Support: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Calibration
$132,498
12%
Career Development
$128,949
9%
Customer Support
$125,400
6%
Customer Focus
$125,400
6%
Flexibility
$125,400
6%
Innovation
$125,400
6%
Get Latest Data

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

Telecommunications Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $132,320. While startup companies pay approximate $111,903.

Telecommunications Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$111,903
Growth Stage51~500$118,355
Established501~5000$127,780
Enterprise5000+$132,320

Telecommunications Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Telecommunications Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 66% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 33% above the average. In contrast, Telecommunications Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Telecommunications Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Telecommunications Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$157,361$76.033%
Software & Networking$151,741$73.028%
Financial Services$146,121$70.024%
Biotechnology$140,501$68.019%
Telecom$140,501$68.019%

How Education impacts a Telecommunications Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Telecommunications Engineer IIIs enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Telecommunications Engineer III with a Associate's Degree is between $110,782 and $117,039).

Telecommunications Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Telecommunications Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 18.3%
Associates 15.7%
Bachelors 38.3%
Masters 22.6%
Doctorate 4.3%
view as graph

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

Understanding how a Telecommunications 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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Telecommunications Engineer III

Salaries for a Telecommunications Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $116,877 in 2023 to around $114,546 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Telecommunications Engineer III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Telecommunications Engineer III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$116,877
2024
$117,006
2025
$114,546
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $116,877
2024 $117,006
2025 $114,546
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Telecommunications Engineer III

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

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Telecommunications Engineer III

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

Find Your Next Telecommunications Engineer III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Telecommunications Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Telecommunications Engineer III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Telecommunications Engineer III?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Telecommunications Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 33% above the market median.

2. What are the responsibilities of Telecommunications Engineer III?

Designs, develops, implements, maintains, and enhances telecommunication networks, systems and equipment. Analyzes existing networks and equipment and identifies opportunities for improvement. Develops solutions that meet business requirements. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature.

3. What are the skills of Telecommunications Engineer III

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Troubleshooting: Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.

2.)

Semiconductors: Semiconductors are substances with properties somewhere between them. ICs(integrated circuits) and electronic discrete components such as diodes and transistors are made of semiconductors.

3.)

Dialysis: Utilizing knowledge of dialysis principles and procedures to treat individuals who suffer from kidney failure to regain normal kidney function.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job