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Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II Salary in the United States

How much does a Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II in the United States is $82,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,953
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,790 to $88,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,869
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II Salaries

A Computer-Aided Engineering 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Computer-Aided Engineering Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Computer-Aided Engineering 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:

  • Computer-Aided Engineering Designer I (0-2 years): $73,342
  • Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II (2-4 years): $82,440
  • Computer-Aided Engineering Designer III (4-7 years): $113,689
  • CAE Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $131,206
  • CAE Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $149,550
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Computer-Aided Engineering Designer I0-2 years$73,342
Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II2-4 years$82,440
Computer-Aided Engineering Designer III4-7 years$113,689
CAE Design Engineer IV7+ years$131,206
CAE Design Engineer V7-10 years$149,550
View as Graph

How Do Computer-Aided Engineering 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 Computer-Aided Engineering Designer IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $91,290.
  • California: $90,990.
  • Massachusetts: $89,790.

Top Paying Cities for Computer-Aided Engineering 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: $103,990
  • San Francisco: $102,890
  • Oakland: $100,690

What Skills Can Increase a Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 7.77% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.33% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Space Planning (Mentioned in 1.48% Job Postings): Analyzing, organizing, and building interior design layouts to maximize available space in accordance with client's specifications.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 7.77%
Microsoft Office 2.33%
Space Planning 1.48%
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 Engineering Designer II's salary.

  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration $87,439
6%
Leadership $87,439
6%
Verbal Communication $87,439
6%
Get Latest Data

Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $92,092. While startup companies pay approximate $77,978.

Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $77,978
Growth Stage 51~500 $82,452
Established 501~5000 $88,922
Enterprise 5000+ $92,092

Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Computer-Aided Engineering Designer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$103,112$50.025%
Aerospace & Defense$98,988$48.020%
Pharmaceuticals$98,988$48.020%
Financial Services$94,863$46.015%
Insurance$94,863$46.015%

Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Computer-Aided Engineering 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
$73,790
Average $82,490/year
$88,490
$6,149
Average $6,874/month
$7,374
$1,419
Average $1,586/week
$1,702
$35
Average $40/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,490 $7,374 $1,702 $43
Average $82,490 $6,874 $1,586 $40
25th Percentile $73,790 $6,149 $1,419 $35

Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II Salary Growth & Career Path

Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II

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Advancement

For a Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Computer-Aided Engineering Designer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $113,700 - a projected growth of 38% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II

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

Common company salaries for Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II

Here are companies hiring for Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Is CAD in high demand?

Yes, CAD professionals are in high demand due to the increasing need for design and engineering solutions across various industries. The salary for a Computer-Aided Engineering Designer typically ranges from a minimum of $78,490 to a mid-level of $88,390, with a maximum salary reaching $98,190, reflecting the value of their expertise in the job market.

3. What is the highest salary of AutoCAD designer?

The highest salary for a Computer-Aided Engineering Designer is $98,190 annually. The minimum salary starts at $78,490, while the mid-range salary is $88,390. These figures reflect the salary data for this role, showcasing a competitive earning potential in the field.

4. Do Cad designers make good money?

Yes, CAD designers can earn a competitive salary. The minimum salary for a Computer-Aided Engineering Designer is approximately $78,490, while the mid-range salary is around $88,390. Experienced professionals can earn up to $98,190, making it a lucrative career choice for those in the field.

5. Is CAD hard to learn?

Learning CAD can be challenging, but with dedication and practice, it becomes manageable. The complexity often depends on the specific software and the user's background. As a Computer-Aided Engineering Designer, you can expect a salary ranging from $78,490 to $98,190, with a median around $88,390, reflecting the value of CAD skills in the job market.

6. What is the average salary in CAD?

The average salary for a Computer-Aided Engineering Designer in Canada ranges from $78,490 to $98,190 annually, with a mid-salary of $88,390. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the value of expertise and experience in engineering design roles.

7. 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 but is not limited to, engineering legacy drawing/model conversions, redlines, and as-builts; which may require shop measurement take-offs. The salary for this position ranges from $78,490 to $98,190, with a midpoint of $88,390.

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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