third_salary = df['salary'].drop_duplicates().nlargest(3).iloc[-1]. Or: df_sorted = df.assign(rn=df['salary'].rank(method='dense', ascending=False)); third = df_sorted[df_sorted['rn'] == 3]['salary'].iloc[0]. **Why drop_duplicates**: 'Third-highest' often means distinct salary values. **Edge case**: <3 rows. **Scalability**: For large data, use PySpark or DB-side....
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