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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAD Designer IV in California is $130,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a CAD Designer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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CAD Designer IV Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $138,000 | $11,500 | $2,654 | $66 |
| Average | $130,100 | $10,842 | $2,502 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,400 | $9,950 | $2,296 | $57 |
Walt Disney Imagineering - Holiday, CA
Walt Disney Imagineering - Anaheim, CA
A-PLUS CONTRACTING INC - Anaheim, CA
POWERCON ENGINEERING, INC. - Tustin, CA
A CAD Designer IV'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 a CAD Designer IV'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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Computer Aided Design Supervisor | 10+ years | $103,521 |
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 CAD Designer IVs. 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:
CAD Designer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $145,639. While startup companies pay approximate $123,208.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $123,208 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $130,307 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $140,641 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $145,639 |
For CAD Designer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 85% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, CAD Designer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAD Designer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $169,130 | $81.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $162,625 | $78.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $157,421 | $76.0 | 21% |
| Energy & Utilities | $156,120 | $75.0 | 20% |
| Telecom | $153,518 | $74.0 | 18% |
Understanding how a CAD Designer IV'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 | $138,000 | $11,500 | $2,654 | $66 |
| Average | $130,100 | $10,842 | $2,502 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,400 | $9,950 | $2,296 | $57 |
For a CAD Designer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAD Designer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $152,400 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CAD Designer IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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
8 Days Ago
Flexton Inc.
Berkeley, CA
Flexton Inc. | Berkeley, CA
Required Qualifications. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Drafting/Design, or related technical discipline, or equiva... more
9 Days Ago
CE2 Corporation
Berkeley, CA
CE2 Corporation | Berkeley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. FT Contractor. Berkeley, CA -onsite. Pay Rate: $73 per hour. Target start 8/17/26 – 1 year contract. Develop... more
9 Days Ago
Essnova Solutions, Inc.
Berkeley, CA
Essnova Solutions, Inc. | Berkeley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Project. Advanced Light Source Upgrade (ALS-U). Anticipated Duration. One year, with the possibility of a one-year extens... more
9 Days Ago
BEC
Glendora, CA
BEC | Glendora, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Come Join Building Electronic Controls Design Team. Are you a passionate. Fire Alarm CAD Designer. looking for an opportu... more
9 Days Ago
LTD GLOBAL, LLC
Berkeley, CA
LTD GLOBAL, LLC | 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
10 Days Ago
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