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Petty Officer Third Class Salary in the United States

How much does a Petty Officer Third Class make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Petty Officer Third Class in the United States is $37,714 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Petty Officer Third Class's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $42,618
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,106 to $40,281
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,731
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Petty Officer Third Class Salaries

A Petty Officer Third Class'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 Petty Officer Third Class Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Petty Officer Third Class'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): $37,460
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $37,895
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $38,959
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $39,620
  • Expert (over 8 years): $39,703
Levels Salary
Entry Level Petty Officer Third Class$37,460
Intermediate Level Petty Officer Third Class$37,895
Senior Level Petty Officer Third Class$38,959
Specialist Level Petty Officer Third Class$39,620
Expert Level Petty Officer Third Class$39,703
View as Graph

How Do Petty Officer Third Class 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 Petty Officer Third Classes. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $41,757.
  • California: $41,598.
  • Massachusetts: $41,044.

Top Paying Cities for Petty Officer Third Classes

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: $47,568
  • San Francisco: $47,048
  • Oakland: $46,056

What Skills Can Increase a Petty Officer Third Class's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Flexibility (Mentioned in 7.26% Job Postings): Adapting, responding to, and dealing with the changing environment and new situations.
  • Cash Handling (Mentioned in 9.88% Job Postings): Process of receiving and giving money in a business. In retail, cash handling ranges from the point of sale to the behind-the-scenes money management during the day.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 1.85% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Flexibility 7.26%
Cash Handling 9.88%
Accounting 1.85%
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 Petty Officer Third Class's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Results Oriented: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $43,748
16%
Commitment $42,239
12%
Results Oriented $41,108
9%
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Petty Officer Third Class Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Petty Officer Third Class roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Petty Officer Third Class positions in Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Petty Officer Third Class as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Petty Officer Third Class

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$45,257$22.020%

How Education impacts a Petty Officer Third Class's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Petty Officer Third Classes enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Petty Officer Third Class with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $35,318 and $37,543).

Petty Officer Third Class Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Petty Officer Third Class
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 40.1%
Associates 19.4%
Bachelors 36.6%
Masters 3.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Petty Officer Third Class Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Petty Officer Third Class'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
$35,106
Average $37,714/year
$40,281
$2,925
Average $3,143/month
$3,357
$675
Average $725/week
$775
$17
Average $18/hour
$19
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $40,281 $3,357 $775 $19
Average $37,714 $3,143 $725 $18
25th Percentile $35,106 $2,925 $675 $17

Most common benefits for Petty Officer Third Class

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

Common company salaries for Petty Officer Third Class

Here are companies hiring for Petty Officer Third Class and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Petty Officer Third Class

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Petty Officer Third Class?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Petty Officer Third Class 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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