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Computer Aided Design Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Computer Aided Design Technician I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Computer Aided Design Technician I in the United States is $52,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, a Computer Aided Design Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $63,016
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,700 to $58,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,058
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View as table View as graph 25% $48,700 10% $45,058 90% $63,016 75% $58,100 $52,700 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Computer Aided Design Technician I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $58,100 $4,842 $1,117 $28
Average $52,700 $4,392 $1,013 $25
25th Percentile $48,700 $4,058 $937 $23
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Key Factors That Influence Computer Aided Design Technician I Salaries

A Computer Aided Design Technician 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.

How Experience Level Affects Computer Aided Design Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Computer Aided Design Technician 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:

  • Computer Aided Design Technician I (0-1 years): $52,683
  • Computer Aided Design Technician II (1-3 years): $57,986
  • Computer Aided Design Technician III (3-5 years): $70,306
  • Computer Aided Design Technician IV (5-7 years): $77,838
  • Computer Aided Design Supervisor (7+ years): $93,854
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Computer Aided Design Technician I0-1 years$52,683
Computer Aided Design Technician II1-3 years$57,986
Computer Aided Design Technician III3-5 years$70,306
Computer Aided Design Technician IV5-7 years$77,838
Computer Aided Design Supervisor7+ years$93,854
$52,683 Computer ...
$57,986 Computer ...
$70,306 Computer ...
$77,838 Computer ...
$93,854 Computer ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Computer Aided Design Technician Is

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: $66,500
  • San Francisco: $65,800
  • Oakland: $64,400

What Skills Can Increase a Computer Aided Design Technician I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 10.6% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 2.73% 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.
  • Computer Hardware (Mentioned in 1.38% Job Postings): Maintaining, configuring, and setting up computer hardware to increase business efficiency and staff productivity.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 10.6%
Installation 2.73%
Computer Hardware 1.38%
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 Computer Aided Design Technician I's salary.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Science
$65,875
25%
Leadership
$61,659
17%
Innovation
$61,132
16%
Presentation
$61,132
16%
Collaboration
$57,970
10%
Communication Skills
$57,443
9%
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Computer Aided Design Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Computer Aided Design Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $58,995. While startup companies pay approximate $49,908.

Computer Aided Design Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$49,908
Growth Stage51~500$52,784
Established501~5000$56,970
Enterprise5000+$58,995

Computer Aided Design Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Computer Aided Design Technician 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 Insurance and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Computer Aided Design Technician positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Computer Aided Design Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Computer Aided Design Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$63,240$30.020%
Software & Networking$59,024$28.012%
Biotechnology$57,970$28.010%
Financial Services$57,970$28.010%
Healthcare$57,970$28.010%

Computer Aided Design Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Computer Aided Design Technician 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Computer Aided Design Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Computer Aided Design Technician I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Computer Aided Design Technician II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $58,000 - a projected growth of 10% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Computer Aided Design Technician I

Salaries for a Computer Aided Design Technician I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $49,895 in 2023 to around $49,132 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Computer Aided Design Technician I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Computer Aided Design Technician I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$49,895
2024
$49,637
2025
$49,132
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $49,895
2024 $49,637
2025 $49,132
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Computer Aided Design Technician I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Computer Aided Design Technician I

Here are companies hiring for Computer Aided Design Technician I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Computer Aided Design Technician I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Computer Aided Design Technician I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    20 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

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    25 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    25 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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    27 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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    27 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

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    1 Month Ago

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FAQ about Computer Aided Design Technician I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Computer Aided Design Technician I?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Computer Aided Design Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much do CAD technicians get paid?

CAD Technician salaries vary based on experience and location. In the UK, the salary range is approximately £50,100 to £62,100, with a mid-salary of around £55,300. This reflects the growing demand for skilled technicians in the field of computer-aided design.

3. Can technicians make 100k?

Pay will vary based on ability and experience, but our Computer Aided Design Technicians typically earn between $50,100 and $62,100 per year, with a mid-salary of $55,300. Achieving a salary of $100k is unlikely for this role without significant experience or advancement into higher-level positions.

4. Is CAD a stressful job?

The demands of CAD design can lead to significant stress and the risk of burnout. With salaries ranging from $50,100 to $62,100, effective work-life balance is crucial in managing stress levels. This balance helps designers stay motivated and energized to tackle complex projects without compromising their mental health.

5. How much do AutoCAD jobs pay in the US?

AutoCAD jobs in the US typically offer salaries ranging from $50,100 to $62,100 annually. The average salary for a Computer Aided Design Technician is approximately $55,300. This reflects a weekly pay of about $1,200, with top earners potentially making more, but the majority fall within this range.

6. What is the highest paid CAD jobs?

The highest paid CAD jobs typically offer salaries ranging from $50,100 to $62,100, with a mid-range salary of $55,300. These positions often require advanced skills and experience in computer-aided design, making them highly sought after in various industries.

7. Is AutoCAD enough to get a job?

Yes, proficiency in AutoCAD can lead to a rewarding career as a Computer Aided Design Technician. With a salary range from $50,100 to $62,100, it opens doors to various roles such as project manager, mechanical engineer, urban planner, architect, interior designer, CAD drafter, and electrical engineer, among others.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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