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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Auto CAD Designer I in California is $73,001 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, an Auto CAD Designer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Auto CAD Designer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $78,601 | $6,550 | $1,512 | $38 |
| Average | $73,001 | $6,083 | $1,404 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,301 | $5,525 | $1,275 | $32 |
KMA CONSULTING - Costa Mesa, CA
CE2 Corporation - Berkeley, CA
COMPA Industries - Berkeley, CA
BEC - Glendora, CA
An Auto CAD Designer I'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Auto CAD Designer I'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto CAD Designer I | 0-2 years | $72,986 |
| CAD Drafter, Experienced | 2-4 years | $83,097 |
| Computer Aided Design Drafter III | 4-7 years | $100,611 |
| CAD Designer IV | 7+ years | $130,024 |
| CAD Designer V | 7-10 years | $152,344 |
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 Auto CAD Designer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Auto CAD Designer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $81,720. While startup companies pay approximate $69,134.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $69,134 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $73,117 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $78,916 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $81,720 |
For Auto CAD Designer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Auto CAD Designer positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Auto CAD Designer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $87,601 | $42.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $86,141 | $41.0 | 18% |
| Construction | $84,681 | $41.0 | 16% |
| Energy & Utilities | $83,221 | $40.0 | 14% |
| Healthcare | $81,761 | $39.0 | 12% |
Understanding how an Auto CAD Designer I'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $78,601 | $6,550 | $1,512 | $38 |
| Average | $73,001 | $6,083 | $1,404 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,301 | $5,525 | $1,275 | $32 |
For an Auto CAD Designer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAD Drafter, Experienced role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $83,100 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Auto CAD Designer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
LTD Global
Berkeley, CA
LTD Global | Berkeley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. We're seeking an experienced Electrical CAD Designer to support a major upgrade project at a large-scale ... more
4 Days Ago
A-PLUS CONTRACTING INC
Anaheim, CA
A-PLUS CONTRACTING INC | Anaheim, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. A-Plus Contracting Inc. is looking for a talented Cabinet Vision / CAD Designer to join our growing team ... more
5 Days Ago
POWERCON ENGINEERING, INC.
Tustin, CA
POWERCON ENGINEERING, INC. | Tustin, CA
Job Description. Job Description. 2+ years of applicable experience. In-office position at our Tustin, CA location. Salary range: $40k+ (depending upon re... more
5 Days Ago
Bay Systems Consulting Inc.
Berkeley, CA
Bay Systems Consulting Inc. | Berkeley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Electrical CAD Designer. Hourly Rate: $73.00 per hour plus benefits (medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k). Location. Berke... more
6 Days Ago
Kell Mechanical Heating and Air Conditioning
Livermore, CA
Kell Mechanical Heating and Air Conditioning | Livermore, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Kell Mechanical is seeking an experienced CAD Designer to support our growing project management and installation teams. ... more
6 Days Ago
R-cold, Inc
Perris, CA
R-cold, Inc | Perris, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Position Overview. The CAD Drafter is responsible for creating technical drawings to be used in the production of various... more
6 Days Ago
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