Equipment Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does an Equipment Engineer III make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Equipment Engineer III in the United States is $108,632 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $123,923
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $101,798 to $116,636
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $95,576

Key Factors That Influence Equipment Engineer III Salaries

An Equipment Engineer III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Equipment 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 Equipment Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $120,277.
  • California: $119,821.
  • Massachusetts: $118,224.

Top Paying Cities for Equipment 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: $137,018
  • San Francisco: $135,517
  • Oakland: $132,661

What Skills Can Increase an Equipment Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.43% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 3.51% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer
  • Manufacturing Equipment (Mentioned in 2.34% Job Postings): Operating, maintaining, and validating various equipment to support manufacturing processes and drive overall productivity and efficiency.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.43%
CAD 3.51%
Manufacturing Equipment 2.34%

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 an Equipment Engineer III's salary.

  • Work Under Pressure: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Organizational Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Work Under Pressure $140,135
29%
Organizational Skills $115,150
6%
Accountability $114,064
5%

Equipment Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Equipment Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 105% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Equipment Engineer positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Equipment Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Equipment Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$162,948$78.050%
Biotechnology$130,358$63.020%
Chemicals$119,495$57.010%
Energy & Utilities$114,064$55.05%

How Education impacts an Equipment Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Equipment Engineer IIIs enter the field with a Bachelor'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 an Equipment Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $112,958 and $119,682).

Equipment Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Equipment Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 14.7%
High School 14.7%
Associates 14.7%
Bachelors 44.1%
Masters 20.6%
Doctorate 5.9%

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

Understanding how an Equipment 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 October 01, 2026
$101,798
Average $108,632/year
$116,636
$8,483
Average $9,053/month
$9,720
$1,958
Average $2,089/week
$2,243
$49
Average $52/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $116,636 $9,720 $2,243 $56
Average $108,632 $9,053 $2,089 $52
25th Percentile $101,798 $8,483 $1,958 $49

Most common benefits for Equipment Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Equipment Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Equipment Engineer III

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Equipment Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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