As of May 18, 2021, the average hourly rate for a Process Engineer III in the United States is $53, which translates to an annual salary of about $110,164.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Process 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Process 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Process Engineer I | 0-2 years | $86,562 |
| Process Engineer II | 2-4 years | $99,223 |
| Process Engineer III | 4-7 years | $110,164 |
| Process Engineer IV | 7+ years | $134,623 |
| Process Engineering Supervisor | 7+ years | $117,530 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Process Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 6.34% |
| Chemical Engineering | 1.76% |
| Installation | 1.51% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Semiconductors
|
$114,571 |
4%
|
|
Material Science
|
$113,469 |
3%
|
|
Process Development
|
$113,469 |
3%
|
|
Chemistry
|
$113,469 |
3%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$112,367 |
2%
|
|
Presentation
|
$112,367 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Process 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 a Process Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $106,660 and $111,383).
Process Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 1.8% |
| Associates | 1.2% |
| Bachelors | 44.2% |
| Masters | 33.9% |
| Doctorate | 18.9% |
Understanding how a Process 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 May 18, 2021Salaries for a Process Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $105,171 in 2023 to around $100,709 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Process Engineer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $105,171 |
| 2024 | $102,306 |
| 2025 | $100,709 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Develops and optimizes continuous production and manufacturing processes to achieve the output, quality, and cost goals of the organization. Collects production data and applies standard scientific and statistical methods to analyze, document, and diagram production processes. Identifies process bottlenecks and devises solutions to resolve. Recommends changes or upgrades to equipment, work methods, or other aspects of the process to improve efficiency and utilization of resources including labor, energy and raw materials. May act as a knowledge resource and guide for less experienced engineers. May work on processes for new or more complex products. Requires a bachelor's degree of engineering. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. 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.
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.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Chemical Engineering: Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilisation of nano-technology and nano-materials in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and products. Chemical engineers are involved in many aspects of plant design and operation, including safety and hazard assessments, process design and analysis, modeling, control engineering, chemical reaction engineering, nuclear engineering, biological engineering, construction specification, and operating instructions. Chemical engineers typically hold a degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. Practising engineers may have professional certification and be accredited members of a professional body. Such bodies include the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) or the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). A degree in chemical engineering is directly linked with all of the other engineering disciplines, to various extents.
Installation: The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
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.
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