Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Transportation Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Transportation Engineer III in the United States is $105,822 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $121,921
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,429 to $114,249
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,788
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Transportation Engineer III Salaries

A Transportation 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 Transportation Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Transportation 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:

  • Transportation Engineer I (0-2 years): $68,465
  • Transportation Engineer II (2-4 years): $87,215
  • Transportation Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,822
  • Transportation Engineer IV (7+ years): $123,018
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Transportation Engineer I0-2 years$68,465
Transportation Engineer II2-4 years$87,215
Transportation Engineer III4-7 years$105,822
Transportation Engineer IV7+ years$123,018
View as Graph

How Do Transportation 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 Transportation Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $117,166.
  • California: $116,722.
  • Massachusetts: $115,166.

Top Paying Cities for Transportation 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: $133,473
  • San Francisco: $132,012
  • Oakland: $129,230

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.22% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.94% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.22%
AutoCAD 1.94%
Programming 1.28%
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 Transportation Engineer III's salary.

  • Java: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • API: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Java $128,045
21%
API $120,637
14%
Team Development $116,404
10%
Get Latest Data

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

Transportation Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $118,260. While startup companies pay approximate $100,036.

Transportation Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $100,036
Growth Stage 51~500 $105,798
Established 501~5000 $114,196
Enterprise 5000+ $118,260

Transportation Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Transportation Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Transportation Engineer positions in Internet or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Transportation Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Transportation Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$132,278$64.025%
Construction$126,986$61.020%
Energy & Utilities$121,695$59.015%
Aerospace & Defense$116,404$56.010%
Media$116,404$56.010%

How Education impacts a Transportation Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Transportation 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 Transportation Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $99,779 and $109,009.

Transportation Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Transportation Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 1.3%
Associates 1.3%
Bachelors 37.5%
Masters 57.5%
Doctorate 2.5%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Transportation 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 September 01, 2026
$97,429
Average $105,822/year
$114,249
$8,119
Average $8,819/month
$9,521
$1,874
Average $2,035/week
$2,197
$47
Average $51/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $114,249 $9,521 $2,197 $55
Average $105,822 $8,819 $2,035 $51
25th Percentile $97,429 $8,119 $1,874 $47

Transportation Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Transportation Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Transportation 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
Civil Engineer IV $123,952 17%
Structural Engineer IV $123,952 17%
Transportation Engineer IV $123,018 16%

Most common benefits for Transportation Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Transportation Engineer III

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

Find Your Next Transportation Engineer III Job

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

For Employees

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

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

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

Adjust Employee Salary

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

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Transportation Engineer III

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

A Transportation 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 Transportation Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Transportation Engineer III is $133,473.

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

The highest pay for Transportation Engineer III is $121,921.

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

The lowest pay for Transportation Engineer III is $89,788.

4. What are the responsibilities of Transportation Engineer III?

Responsible for the design and planning of transportation facilities and projects. May propose changes to existing roadways to improve the flow of traffic. Ensures compliance with government standards and regulations. May require a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. 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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Transportation Engineer III?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Transportation Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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.

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