What are the main factors that influence a Test Engineer III's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Test Engineer 's salary?

A Test Engineer 's salary grows with experience: a Test Engineer I (0-2 years)earns $71,105, a Test Engineer II (2-4 years)earns $79,966, a Test Engineer III (4-7 years)earns $112,160, a Test Engineer IV (7+ years)earns $135,372, a Test Engineer V (7-10 years)earns $147,651,

What are the highest paying states for a Test Engineer III?

Test Engineer III salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Test Engineer III roles are District of Columbia $124,184, California $123,712, Massachusetts $122,064. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Test Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Test Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Test Engineer V: $147,651; Test Engineer IV: $135,372; Automation Test Engineer: $121,915; Electrical Test Engineer III: $120,790; Test Engineer: $112,543.

How do different companies affect a Test Engineer III's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for Test Engineer III roles. Large, established industry leaders like C R Bard Inc ($128,509) and Henry Schein Canada ($124,697) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $82,041.

Test Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Test Engineer III in the United States is $112,160 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $128,905
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,244 to $120,925
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,037

10% $97,037

50% (Median) $112,160

90% $128,905

Test Engineer III Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$120,925	$10,077	$2,325	$58
Average	$112,160	$9,347	$2,157	$54
25th Percentile	$104,244	$8,687	$2,005	$50

Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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Key Factors That Influence Test Engineer III Salaries

A Test 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 Test Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Test 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:

Test Engineer I (0-2 years): $71,105
Test Engineer II (2-4 years): $79,966
Test Engineer III (4-7 years): $112,160
Test Engineer IV (7+ years): $135,372
Test Engineer V (7-10 years): $147,651

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Test Engineer I	0-2 years	$71,105
Test Engineer II	2-4 years	$79,966
Test Engineer III	4-7 years	$112,160
Test Engineer IV	7+ years	$135,372
Test Engineer V	7-10 years	$147,651

View as Graph

How Do Test Engineer III 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 Test Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $124,184.
California: $123,712.
Massachusetts: $122,064.

District of Columbia $124,184 California $123,712 Massachusetts $122,064 Washington $121,615 New Jersey $121,570 Alaska $121,413 Connecticut $119,865 New York $119,237

Hawaii $117,230 Rhode Island $116,287 Maryland $115,648 Minnesota $114,773 Colorado $114,437 Illinois $114,325 Oregon $113,898 Delaware $113,584

New Hampshire $113,387 Virginia $112,945 Pennsylvania $111,655 Nevada $111,005 North Dakota $110,792 Michigan $110,455 Wisconsin $110,332 Vermont $110,085

Texas $109,401 Maine $109,356 Arizona $109,289 Ohio $109,210 Georgia $108,178 Indiana $107,662 Wyoming $107,561 Utah $107,404

Iowa $107,337 Kansas $106,799 Louisiana $106,642 North Carolina $106,586 Missouri $106,563 Florida $106,126 Montana $105,890 Nebraska $105,666

Kentucky $105,543 South Carolina $105,094 Tennessee $104,814 Idaho $104,701 New Mexico $103,883 Oklahoma $103,703 Alabama $103,041 South Dakota $101,931

Arkansas $101,325 West Virginia $101,000 Mississippi $100,024

Top Paying Cities for Test 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: $141,467
San Francisco: $139,918
Oakland: $136,970

San Jose, CA $141,467

San Francisco, CA $139,918

Oakland, CA $136,970

New York, NY $129,140

Paramus, NJ $127,570

Queens Village, NY $127,564

Passaic, NJ $127,458

Bergenfield, NJ $127,447

Stamford, CT $127,201

Huntington, NY $127,155

Newark, NJ $126,326

Bridgeport, CT $126,089

Vallejo, CA $125,866

New Brunswick, NJ $125,821

Petaluma, CA $125,754

Middlesex, NJ $125,541

Somerset, NJ $125,462

Santa Cruz, CA $125,316

Boston, MA $124,632

Monterey, CA $124,239

Seattle, WA $123,982

Santa Rosa, CA $123,959

Los Angeles, CA $123,926

Juneau, AK $123,634

Washington, DC $123,511

Orange, CA $123,111

Santa Ana, CA $122,815

Long Beach, CA $122,703

Anaheim, CA $122,681

Anchorage, AK $122,625

Santa Maria, CA $122,288

Everett, WA $122,266

Danbury, CT $121,871

Bremerton, WA $121,716

Tacoma, WA $121,312

New Suffolk, NY $121,310

Sacramento, CA $121,279

Santa Barbara, CA $121,155

Trenton, NJ $121,032

San Diego, CA $121,032

Brockton, MA $120,908

Fairbanks, AK $120,634

Lompoc, CA $120,348

Lowell, MA $120,257

Ventura, CA $120,236

Nashua, NH $120,213

Stockton, CA $120,202

Modesto, CA $119,383

Poughkeepsie, NY $119,136

Olympia, WA $118,923

Kennewick, WA $118,923

New Haven, CT $118,878

Lawrence, MA $118,475

Hartford, CT $118,362

Riverside, CA $118,340

New Bedford, MA $118,228

Richland, WA $118,228

Bakersfield, CA $118,071

San Bernardino, CA $118,026

New Britain, CT $118,015

Atlantic City, NJ $118,015

New London, CT $117,970

Norwich, CT $117,936

Portsmouth, NH $117,914

Boulder, CO $117,676

Portland, OR $117,521

Worcester, MA $117,510

Minneapolis, MN $117,162

Philadelphia, PA $117,005

Honolulu, HI $116,635

Saint Paul, MN $116,581

Vineland, NJ $116,557

Providence, RI $116,231

Chicago, IL $115,906

Bellingham, WA $115,772

Springfield, MA $115,682

Baltimore, MD $115,648

Chico, CA $115,368

Pittsfield, MA $115,065

Manchester, NH $114,852

Spokane, WA $114,358

Denver, CO $114,347

Albany, NY $113,820

Troy, NY $113,775

Nassau, NY $113,655

Schenectady, NY $113,540

Wilmington, DE $113,450

Burlington, VT $113,293

Salem, OR $113,248

Portland, ME $112,900

Yakima, WA $112,788

Rochester, MN $112,440

Reno, NV $112,384

Fresno, CA $112,384

Milwaukee, WI $112,283

Detroit, MI $112,171

Ann Arbor, MI $112,152

Allentown, PA $112,138

Colorado Springs, CO $111,947

Syracuse, NY $111,891

Carson City, NV $111,891

Houston, TX $111,734

Eugene, OR $111,678

Gary, IN $111,543

Springfield, OR $111,453

Bismarck, ND $111,431

Galveston, TX $111,352

Medford, OR $111,184

Fort Collins, CO $111,139

Concord, NH $111,083

Austin, TX $111,050

Mesa, AZ $110,814

Reading, PA $110,803

Phoenix, AZ $110,792

Dallas, TX $110,758

Saint Cloud, MN $110,650

Madison, WI $110,500

Utica, NY $110,197

Rochester, NY $110,018

Des Moines, IA $110,007

Raleigh, NC $109,995

Atlanta, GA $109,827

Battle Creek, MI $109,793

Salt Lake City, UT $109,760

Lancaster, PA $109,592

Harrisburg, PA $109,435

Kansas City, MO $109,322

Champaign, IL $109,300

Kansas City, KS $109,300

Fort Worth, TX $109,289

Columbus, OH $109,270

Boca Raton, FL $109,244

Pittsburgh, PA $109,199

Richmond, VA $109,154

Indianapolis, IN $109,132

Cleveland, OH $109,120

Las Vegas, NV $108,986

Cincinnati, OH $108,986

Petersburg, VA $108,818

Huntsville, AL $108,649

Lansing, MI $108,574

Lebanon, PA $108,560

Pueblo, CO $108,548

Appleton, WI $108,515

Buffalo, NY $108,470

Dayton, OH $108,436

Racine, WI $108,414

Charlotte, NC $108,403

Saint Louis, MO $108,369

York, PA $108,302

Elkhart, IN $108,302

Gastonia, NC $108,280

Billings, MT $108,253

Beaumont, TX $108,223

Lorain, OH $108,201

Benton Harbor, MI $108,178

Toledo, OH $108,156

Binghamton, NY $108,100

Rock Hill, SC $108,089

Rockford, IL $108,033

Springfield, IL $107,988

Elyria, OH $107,976

Fargo, ND $107,976

Flagstaff, AZ $107,898

Fort Lauderdale, FL $107,831

Duluth, MN $107,763

Miami, FL $107,763

Cheyenne, WY $107,685

Grand Forks, ND $107,685

Bangor, ME $107,438

Cedar Rapids, IA $107,315

Durham, NC $107,268

Louisville, KY $107,259

Grand Rapids, MI $107,236

Hialeah, FL $107,225

Casper, WY $107,068

Scranton, PA $106,933

New Orleans, LA $106,900

Virginia Beach, VA $106,888

Akron, OH $106,832

Peoria, IL $106,687

Sarasota, FL $106,664

Nashville, TN $106,586

Omaha, NE $106,586

Green Bay, WI $106,586

Baton Rouge, LA $106,530

Charleston, SC $106,507

Jamestown, NY $106,451

Davenport, IA $106,451

Tucson, AZ $106,395

Saint Petersburg, FL $106,328

Tampa, FL $106,305

Evansville, IN $106,238

Port Arthur, TX $106,238

Bradenton, FL $106,193

Santa Fe, NM $105,991

Orlando, FL $105,789

Clearwater, FL $105,756

Canton, OH $105,520

La Crosse, WI $105,520

Albuquerque, NM $105,453

Newport News, VA $105,442

High Point, NC $105,408

Ogden, UT $105,363

Corpus Christi, TX $105,273

Norfolk, VA $105,206

Laramie, WY $105,206

Rock Island, IL $105,139

Saginaw, MI $105,116

Jacksonville, FL $105,105

Salisbury, NC $105,083

Boise, ID $105,060

Moline, IL $105,004

Fort Myers, FL $104,971

Memphis, TN $104,948

Tulsa, OK $104,892

Waterloo, IA $104,825

Spartanburg, SC $104,713

Lincoln, NE $104,656

Fort Wayne, IN $104,634

Provo, UT $104,623

Cedar Falls, IA $104,488

San Antonio, TX $104,443

Greensboro, NC $104,399

South Bend, IN $104,387

Savannah, GA $104,264

Muskegon, MI $104,219

Birmingham, AL $104,208

Winston Salem, NC $104,153

Lake Charles, LA $103,883

Anderson, IN $103,860

Lexington, KY $103,827

Augusta, GA $103,793

Greenville, SC $103,793

Lima, OH $103,703

Wichita, KS $103,692

Tuscaloosa, AL $103,692

Columbia, SC $103,591

Springfield, OH $103,569

Asheville, NC $103,389

Bloomington, IN $103,311

Knoxville, TN $102,907

Shreveport, LA $102,896

Wilmington, NC $102,750

Roanoke, VA $102,750

Topeka, KS $102,548

Frankfort, KY $102,536

Oklahoma City, OK $102,458

Chillicothe, OH $102,413

Longview, TX $102,402

Melbourne, FL $102,391

Sioux Falls, SD $102,211

Mobile, AL $102,200

Terre Haute, IN $102,155

Altoona, PA $102,088

Amarillo, TX $102,010

Killeen, TX $101,976

Fayetteville, AR $101,886

Chattanooga, TN $101,852

Sioux City, IA $101,752

Idaho Falls, ID $101,729

Lynchburg, VA $101,639

Gainesville, FL $101,494

Portsmouth, OH $101,438

Little Rock, AR $101,415

Lafayette, LA $101,370

Youngstown, OH $101,370

Daytona Beach, FL $101,303

Clarksville, TN $101,292

Pensacola, FL $101,280

Temple, TX $101,273

Hopkinsville, KY $100,944

Erie, PA $100,922

Florence, SC $100,877

Charleston, WV $100,697

Great Falls, MT $100,641

Macon, GA $100,484

Tallahassee, FL $100,473

Fayetteville, NC $100,450

Waco, TX $100,428

Helena, MT $100,350

Pine Bluff, AR $100,307

Vincennes, IN $100,170

Lubbock, TX $100,125

Alamogordo, NM $100,058

Twin Falls, ID $99,957

Rapid City, SD $99,923

Jackson, MS $99,721

Huntington, WV $99,714

Greenville, MS $99,710

Parkersburg, WV $99,596

Montgomery, AL $99,576

Wichita Falls, TX $99,463

Springfield, MO $99,463

Biloxi, MS $99,407

Monroe, LA $99,295

Johnstown, PA $99,217

Sumter, SC $99,172

Columbus, GA $99,161

Pascagoula, MS $98,948

Abilene, TX $98,948

Kingsport, TN $98,656

Albany, GA $98,656

Gulfport, MS $98,622

Alexandria, LA $98,252

Fort Smith, AR $97,972

El Paso, TX $97,669

Las Cruces, NM $97,164

Harlingen, TX $96,879

Pocatello, ID $96,861

Florence, AL $96,716

Brownsville, TX $96,693

Mcallen, TX $96,458

Dothan, AL $96,301

Columbus, MS $95,634

Altus, OK $95,112

Lawton, OK $94,899

Pierre, SD $94,495

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Analysis (Mentioned in 7.75% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Python (Mentioned in 3% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
Automated Testing (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Test automation is the use of software to control the execution of tests and the comparison of predicted to actual outcomes.

Skills	Demand Percentage
Analysis	7.75%
Python	3%
Automated Testing	2.08%

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 Test Engineer III's salary.

Python: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Debugging: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Python	$115,525	3%
Debugging	$115,525	3%
Networking	$115,525	3%

Get Latest Data

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

Test Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $125,343. While startup companies pay approximate $106,028.

Test Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$106,028
Growth Stage	51~500	$112,135
Established	501~5000	$121,035
Enterprise	5000+	$125,343

Test Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Test Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 12% above the average. In contrast, Test Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Test Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Test Engineer III

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services	$125,619	$60.0	12%
Software & Networking	$123,376	$59.0	10%
Biotechnology	$121,133	$58.0	8%
Insurance	$121,133	$58.0	8%
Internet	$121,133	$58.0	8%

How Education impacts a Test Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Test Engineer 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 Test Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $105,493 and $109,532.

Test Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

$110,300
$109,600
$108,900
$108,100
$107,400
$106,700
$105,900
$105,200

Typical Education for Test Engineer III
Degree Level	% of user with this level of education
No Diploma	0.6%
High School	1.2%
Associates	6.8%
Bachelors	52.4%
Masters	35.4%
Doctorate	3.3%

View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Test 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.

$104,244

Average $112,160/year

$120,925

$8,687

Average $9,347/month

$10,077

$2,005

Average $2,157/week

$2,325

$50

Average $54/hour

$58

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$120,925	$10,077	$2,325	$58
Average	$112,160	$9,347	$2,157	$54
25th Percentile	$104,244	$8,687	$2,005	$50

Test Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Test Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Test Engineer IV Test Engineer V

For a Test Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Test Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $135,372 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Test Engineer III

Salaries for a Test Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $95,858 in 2023 to around $95,673 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Test Engineer III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Test Engineer III Over Time

$???
$95,858
$96,268
$95,673
$???
$???

2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$95,858
2024	$96,268
2025	$95,673
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for Test Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Test Engineer III

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

C $128,509/per year

C R Bard Inc Biotechnology the United States

H $124,697/per year

Henry Schein Canada Biotechnology the United States

N $123,899/per year

Nordex Inc Biotechnology the United States

N $120,416/per year

Nipro Corp Biotechnology the United States

E $115,870/per year

Enovis Biotechnology the United States

A $114,553/per year

Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy Biotechnology the United States

M $112,110/per year

MiniMed Inc Biotechnology the United States

L $111,500/per year

Labcorp Drug Development Biotechnology the United States

L $110,229/per year

Life Technologies Corp Biotechnology the United States

Z $106,224/per year

Zimmer Biomet Biotechnology the United States

P $103,077/per year

Promontory Therapeutics Biotechnology the United States

S $102,181/per year

Steris PLC Biotechnology the United States

G $97,274/per year

Gavin Conferences Pty Ltd Biotechnology the United States

E $94,764/per year

Endeavor BioMedicines Biotechnology the United States

R $94,402/per year

Replay Holdings LLC Biotechnology the United States

P $94,235/per year

Pleno Inc Biotechnology the United States

S $93,666/per year

Simulaids Inc Biotechnology the United States

N $88,880/per year

NOIRLab/CAS Biotechnology the United States

O $86,468/per year

Onward Technology Biotechnology the United States

L $84,895/per year

LED Medical Diagnostics Inc Biotechnology the United States

E $84,682/per year

Eyeco Ltd Biotechnology the United States

P $84,523/per year

Paerosol Biotechnology the United States

I $83,525/per year

IONIQ Sciences Inc Biotechnology the United States

S $82,815/per year

Stateside PPE Biotechnology the United States

D $82,041/per year

Digi Bio Biotechnology the United States

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FAQ about Test Engineer III

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

A Test 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 Test Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Test Engineer III is $141,467.

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

The highest pay for Test Engineer III is $128,905.

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

The lowest pay for Test Engineer III is $97,037.

4. What are the responsibilities of Test Engineer III?

Interacts with other engineering groups to define, document, analyze, perform, and interpret tests for products, systems, components, or modifications. Identifies functional problems and suggests resolutions. Defines internal quality control standards and the maintenance of reliability programs. Documents and analyzes test cases and provides feedback and recommendations for product or design changes. Ensures testing procedures are in compliance with any required industry specific standards. Contributes to the development of improvements to overall testing and quality programs for improved results. May coordinate with vendors or suppliers to modify or develop testing for components or other parts. Requires a bachelor's degree of Engineering. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. 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 Test Engineer III?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Test Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 12% 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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