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Computer Aided Design Technician II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Computer Aided Design Technician II in the United States is $58,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,093
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,100 to $65,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,639
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Computer Aided Design Technician II Salaries

A Computer Aided Design Technician 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 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 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:

  • Computer Aided Design Technician I (0-1 years): $52,683
  • Computer Aided Design Technician II (1-3 years): $57,984
  • Computer Aided Design Technician III (3-5 years): $70,308
  • Computer Aided Design Technician IV (5-7 years): $77,837
  • Computer Aided Design Supervisor (7+ years): $93,856
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Computer Aided Design Technician I0-1 years$52,683
Computer Aided Design Technician II1-3 years$57,984
Computer Aided Design Technician III3-5 years$70,308
Computer Aided Design Technician IV5-7 years$77,837
Computer Aided Design Supervisor7+ years$93,856
View as Graph

How Do Computer Aided Design Technician 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 Computer Aided Design Technician IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $64,200.
  • California: $64,000.
  • Massachusetts: $63,200.

Top Paying Cities for Computer Aided Design Technician 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: $73,200
  • San Francisco: $72,400
  • Oakland: $70,900

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Communication Skills (Mentioned in 4.55% Job Postings): Communication skills are your ability to share or understand information, ideas, and feelings successfully.
  • Computer Aided Design (Mentioned in 9.09% Job Postings): CAD (computer-aided design) is the use of computer-based software to aid in design processes. CAD software is frequently used by different types of engineers and designers.
  • Civil Engineering (Mentioned in 4.55% Job Postings): Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways. Civil engineering is traditionally broken into a number of sub-disciplines. It is considered the second-oldest engineering discipline after military engineering, and it is defined to distinguish non-military engineering from military engineering. Civil engineering takes place in the public sector from municipal through to national governments, and in the private sector from individual homeowners through to international companies.
Skills Demand Percentage
Communication Skills 4.55%
Computer Aided Design 9.09%
Civil Engineering 4.55%
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 Computer Aided Design Technician II's salary.

  • Application Design: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Illustrator: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Photoshop: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Application Design $68,440
18%
Illustrator $60,900
5%
Photoshop $60,900
5%
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Computer Aided Design Technician II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Computer Aided Design Technician II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $64,817. While startup companies pay approximate $54,829.

Computer Aided Design Technician II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $54,829
Growth Stage 51~500 $57,987
Established 501~5000 $62,589
Enterprise 5000+ $64,817

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

For Computer Aided Design Technician II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Computer Aided Design Technician positions in MFG Durable or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Computer Aided Design Technician II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Computer Aided Design Technician II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Media$81,200$39.040%
Energy & Utilities$75,400$36.030%
Business Services$72,500$35.025%
Aerospace & Defense$69,600$33.020%
Telecom$68,440$33.018%

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

Understanding how a Computer Aided Design Technician 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 September 01, 2026
$53,100
Average $58,000/year
$65,900
$4,425
Average $4,833/month
$5,492
$1,021
Average $1,115/week
$1,267
$26
Average $28/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $65,900 $5,492 $1,267 $32
Average $58,000 $4,833 $1,115 $28
25th Percentile $53,100 $4,425 $1,021 $26

Computer Aided Design Technician II Salary Growth & Career Path

Computer Aided Design Technician II

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Advancement

For a Computer Aided Design Technician II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Computer Aided Design Technician III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $70,400 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Computer Aided Design Technician II

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

Common company salaries for Computer Aided Design Technician II

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

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FAQ about Computer Aided Design Technician II

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

The Media industry offers the highest average compensation for Computer Aided Design Technician II roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. Can a CAD designer work from home?

Embarking on a work-from-home career as a CAD Designer involves mastering specialized software like AutoCAD or Revit to create intricate digital models and technical drawings. With a salary range from $57,000 to $72,800, you'll translate design concepts into precise representations while ensuring adherence to industry standards and engineering principles.

3. What is the highest salary in CAD?

The highest salary for a Computer Aided Design Technician is $72,800. The top 10% of employees in this field earn more than $64,000 annually, while the top 1% make over $57,000 per year.

4. Do CAD designers make good money?

CAD designers can earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $57,000, a mid-range salary of $64,000, and a maximum of $72,800 per year. This places them well above the 25th percentile of $54,000, indicating that CAD designers generally make good money in their field.

5. Is CAD high paying?

CAD Technician salaries vary, with a minimum of $57,000, a mid-range of $64,000, and a maximum of $72,800 annually. While these figures indicate a solid income, they are lower than the average CAD salary of $89,426 in the U.S. Thus, while CAD can be a well-paying career, it may not be as high-paying as some other roles in the field.

6. Is CAD a stressful job?

The demands of CAD design can lead to significant stress and the risk of burnout. With salaries ranging from $57,000 to $72,800, effective work-life balance is crucial for managing stress levels. This balance helps designers stay motivated and energized to tackle complex projects without compromising their mental health.

7. What is the average salary in CAD?

The average salary for a Computer Aided Design Technician ranges from $57,000 to $72,800, with a mid-point salary of $64,000. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the value of CAD skills in the job market.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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