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Hourly Wage for CAD Designer II Salary in the United States

How much does a CAD Designer II make hourly?

As of October 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a CAD Designer II in the United States is $36, which translates to an annual salary of about $75,390.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $46 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34 to $41 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAD Designer II Salaries

A CAD Designer II'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 CAD Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAD Designer II'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:

  • CAD Drafter, Entry (0-2 years): $67,482
  • CAD Designer II (2-4 years): $75,338
  • Computer Aided Design Drafter III (4-7 years): $94,549
  • CAD Designer IV (7+ years): $117,873
  • CAD Designer V (7-10 years): $138,107
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAD Drafter, Entry0-2 years$67,482
CAD Designer II2-4 years$75,338
Computer Aided Design Drafter III4-7 years$94,549
CAD Designer IV7+ years$117,873
CAD Designer V7-10 years$138,107
View as Graph

How Do CAD Designer II 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 CAD Designer IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $83,490.
  • California: $83,090.
  • Massachusetts: $81,990.

Top Paying Cities for CAD Designer IIs

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: $95,090
  • San Francisco: $93,990
  • Oakland: $92,090

What Skills Can Increase a CAD Designer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 1.96% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • 3D CAD (Mentioned in 1.49% Job Postings): CAD is short for Computer-aided design. It's the use of computers to aid in the creation and optimization of a design. Designs made through 3D CAD software focus on the three dimensional quality of design of characters and objects.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 1.96%
3D CAD 1.49%
Installation 1.17%
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 CAD Designer II's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $79,913
6%
Collaboration $78,406
4%
Presentation $78,406
4%
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CAD Designer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CAD Designer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $84,165. While startup companies pay approximate $71,266.

CAD Designer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $71,266
Growth Stage 51~500 $75,355
Established 501~5000 $81,268
Enterprise 5000+ $84,165

CAD Designer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAD Designer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, CAD Designer positions in Media or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAD Designer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAD Designer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$101,776$49.035%
Aerospace & Defense$98,007$47.030%
Financial Services$94,238$45.025%
Construction$90,468$43.020%
Internet$90,468$43.020%

How Education impacts a CAD Designer II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CAD Designer IIs 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 CAD Designer II with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $74,953 and $79,836).

CAD Designer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CAD Designer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 21.0%
Associates 54.0%
Bachelors 21.9%
Masters 1.9%
Doctorate 0.3%
View as Graph

CAD Designer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAD Designer II'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
$70,490
Average $75,390/year
$86,090
$5,874
Average $6,283/month
$7,174
$1,356
Average $1,450/week
$1,656
$34
Average $36/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,090 $7,174 $1,656 $41
Average $75,390 $6,283 $1,450 $36
25th Percentile $70,490 $5,874 $1,356 $34

Most common benefits for CAD Designer II

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

Common company salaries for CAD Designer II

Here are companies hiring for CAD Designer II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about CAD Designer II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CAD Designer II?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for CAD Designer II roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

2. How much is CAD design per hour?

The hourly rate for CAD designers varies based on experience. For entry-level designers, rates typically range from $34.50 to $48.50, while intermediate designers can charge between $48.50 and $60.50. Experienced designers may command higher fees, reflecting their skills and efficiency. Overall, CAD designers earn between $71,590 and $90,190 annually.

3. What is a CAD technician II?

A CAD Technician II is responsible for major Computer Aided Drafting/Design (CAD/D) projects that involve complex technical design work. They may also perform specialized functions and hold program responsibilities in their area of expertise. The salary for this position typically ranges from $71,590 to $90,190, with a mid-point of $80,090.

4. Do CAD designers need a degree?

A relevant bachelor's degree is essential for a career in CAD design, although some companies may prioritize experience and training. CAD designers can expect salaries ranging from $71,590 to $90,190, with a median salary of $80,090, reflecting the importance of education in this field.

5. What does a CAD Designer II do?

POSITION SUMMARY In this role, the CAD Designer II will be responsible for creating and revising specific engineering projects. This includes engineering legacy drawing/model conversions, redlines, and as-builts, which may require shop measurement take-offs. The salary for this position ranges from $71,590 to $90,190, with a midpoint of $80,090.

6. What is CAD designer salary?

The estimated total pay for a CAD Designer ranges from CAD 71,590 to CAD 90,190 annually, with a median salary of CAD 80,090. These figures reflect the midpoint of the salary range based on collected data, providing a clear overview of potential earnings in this role.

7. What is the highest paid CAD jobs?

The highest paid CAD jobs typically include roles such as Civil Engineer, Architect, and Mechanical Engineer. CAD Designers can expect salaries ranging from a minimum of $71,590 to a mid-range of $80,090, with top earners making up to $90,190. These positions require specialized skills and experience in design and engineering fields.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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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