Salary AI Book a Demo

Design and Drafting Services Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Design and Drafting Services Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design and Drafting Services Director in the United States is $219,373 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $105.

However, a Design and Drafting Services Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $253,494
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $200,333 to $237,233
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $182,998
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Design and Drafting Services Director Salaries

A Design and Drafting Services Director'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 Design and Drafting Services Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Design and Drafting Services Director'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:

  • CAE Services Supervisor I (12+ years): $93,200
  • CAE Services Supervisor II (12+ years): $119,294
  • Computer-Aided Engineering Manager (12+ years): $132,518
  • Computer-Aided Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $177,727
  • Design and Drafting Services Director (12+ years): $219,359
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAE Services Supervisor I12+ years$93,200
CAE Services Supervisor II12+ years$119,294
Computer-Aided Engineering Manager12+ years$132,518
Computer-Aided Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$177,727
Design and Drafting Services Director12+ years$219,359
View as Graph

How Do Design and Drafting Services Director 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 Design and Drafting Services Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $242,893.
  • California: $241,973.
  • Massachusetts: $238,743.

Top Paying Cities for Design and Drafting Services Directors

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: $276,693
  • San Francisco: $273,663
  • Oakland: $267,903

Design and Drafting Services Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Design and Drafting Services Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $245,158. While startup companies pay approximate $207,379.

Design and Drafting Services Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $207,379
Growth Stage 51~500 $219,324
Established 501~5000 $236,732
Enterprise 5000+ $245,158

Design and Drafting Services Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Design and Drafting Services Director 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 Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Design and Drafting Services Director positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design and Drafting Services Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Design and Drafting Services Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$263,248$127.020%
Biotechnology$263,248$127.020%
Business Services$263,248$127.020%
Chemicals$263,248$127.020%
Construction$263,248$127.020%

Design and Drafting Services Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Design and Drafting Services Director'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
$200,333
Average $219,373/year
$237,233
$16,694
Average $18,281/month
$19,769
$3,853
Average $4,219/week
$4,562
$96
Average $105/hour
$114
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $237,233 $19,769 $4,562 $114
Average $219,373 $18,281 $4,219 $105
25th Percentile $200,333 $16,694 $3,853 $96

Most common benefits for Design and Drafting Services Director

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

Common company salaries for Design and Drafting Services Director

Here are companies hiring for Design and Drafting Services Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Design and Drafting Services Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design and Drafting Services Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Design and Drafting Services Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Design and Drafting Services Director?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Design and Drafting Services Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the highest salary of a director?

The salary for a Design and Drafting Services Director ranges from $190,143 to $244,153 annually, with a midpoint of $217,173. This reflects the competitive compensation for directors in this field, highlighting the value of their expertise and leadership in design and drafting services.

3. Who is paid more a manager or director?

Generally speaking, managers typically earn between $40,000 and $112,000. In contrast, the salary data for a Design and Drafting Services Director indicates a minimum salary of $190,143, a mid-salary of $217,173, and a maximum salary of $244,153. This clearly shows that directors are compensated significantly more than managers.

4. What does a design director do?

A design director communicates a company's creative vision to design teams and stakeholders while supervising the entire design process and making crucial technical decisions. They also track timelines, manage budgets, and maintain client relationships. The salary for this role ranges from $190,143 to $244,153, with a midpoint of $217,173.

5. Do CAD designers make good money?

CAD designers can earn competitive salaries, especially in senior roles. For instance, a Design and Drafting Services Director can expect a minimum salary of $190,143, a mid-range salary of $217,173, and a maximum salary of $244,153. This indicates that experienced professionals in this field can make significantly more than entry-level positions.

6. How much does a design director make in the US?

How Much Does a Design Director Make in the US? The salary for a Design Director ranges from a minimum of $190,143 to a maximum of $244,153, with a mid-salary of $217,173. This reflects the competitive nature of the role, emphasizing the importance of experience and expertise in the field.

7. How much does a director of design operations make?

The estimated total pay for a Design and Drafting Services Director ranges from $190,143 to $244,153 per year, with a mid-salary of $217,173. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role in the industry.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job