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Design and Drafting Services Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design and Drafting Services Manager in the United States is $132,510 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $154,499
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,140 to $144,020
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $108,878
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View as table View as graph 25% $120,140 10% $108,878 90% $154,499 75% $144,020 $132,510 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Design and Drafting Services Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $144,020 $12,002 $2,770 $69
Average $132,510 $11,043 $2,548 $64
25th Percentile $120,140 $10,012 $2,310 $58
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Key Factors That Influence Design and Drafting Services Manager Salaries

A Design and Drafting Services Manager'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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Design and Drafting Services Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Design and Drafting Services Manager'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): $93,199
  • CAE Services Supervisor II (12+ years): $119,281
  • Design and Drafting Services Manager (12+ years): $132,510
  • Computer-Aided Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $177,677
  • CAE Design Engineering Director (12+ years): $219,311
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAE Services Supervisor I12+ years$93,199
CAE Services Supervisor II12+ years$119,281
Design and Drafting Services Manager12+ years$132,510
Computer-Aided Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$177,677
CAE Design Engineering Director12+ years$219,311
$93,199 CAE Servi...
$119,281 CAE Servi...
$132,510 Design an...
$177,677 Computer-...
$219,311 CAE Desig...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Design and Drafting Services Manager 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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $146,720.
  • California: $146,160.
  • Massachusetts: $144,220.

Top Paying Cities for Design and Drafting Services Managers

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: $167,140
  • San Francisco: $165,310
  • Oakland: $161,830

What Skills Can Increase a Design and Drafting Services Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Written Communication (Mentioned in 11.11% Job Postings): Communicating information through written media to educate, inform and influence the target audience.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 2.88% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer
  • Construction Management (Mentioned in 0.82% Job Postings): Construction management (CM) is a professional service that uses specialized, project management techniques to oversee the planning, design, and construction of a project, from its beginning to its end. The purpose of CM is to control a project's time / delivery, cost and quality—sometimes referred to as a project management triangle or "triple constraints." CM is compatible with all project delivery systems, including design-bid-build, design-build, CM At-Risk and Public Private Partnerships. Professional construction managers may be reserved for lengthy, large-scale, high budget undertakings (commercial real estate, transportation infrastructure, industrial facilities, and military infrastructure), called capital projects.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Written Communication 11.11%
CAD 2.88%
Construction Management 0.82%
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 Design and Drafting Services Manager's salary.
  • Interviewing: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • 3D Rendering: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • 3D Scanning: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Interviewing
$147,086
11%
3D Rendering
$145,761
10%
3D Scanning
$143,111
8%
Coaching
$143,111
8%
Leadership
$137,810
4%
Project Design
$136,485
3%
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Design and Drafting Services Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Design and Drafting Services Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $148,211. While startup companies pay approximate $125,343.

Design and Drafting Services Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$125,343
Growth Stage51~500$132,569
Established501~5000$143,126
Enterprise5000+$148,211

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

For Design and Drafting Services Manager 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 Internet and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Design and Drafting Services Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design and Drafting Services Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Design and Drafting Services Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$165,638$80.025%
Financial Services$159,012$76.020%
Aerospace & Defense$152,386$73.015%
Healthcare$152,386$73.015%
Biotechnology$145,761$70.010%

How Education impacts a Design and Drafting Services Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Design and Drafting Services Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Design and Drafting Services Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $132,582 and $142,747).

Design and Drafting Services Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Design and Drafting Services Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 10.3%
Associates 14.7%
Bachelors 51.6%
Masters 19.4%
Doctorate 3.6%
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Design and Drafting Services Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Design and Drafting Services Manager'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 July 01, 2026

Design and Drafting Services Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Design and Drafting Services Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Computer-Aided Engineering Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $177,700 - a projected growth of 34% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Design and Drafting Services Manager

Salaries for a Design and Drafting Services Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $129,304 in 2023 to around $128,561 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Design and Drafting Services Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Design and Drafting Services Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$129,304
2024
$129,552
2025
$128,561
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $129,304
2024 $129,552
2025 $128,561
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Design and Drafting Services Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Design and Drafting Services Manager

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

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FAQ about Design and Drafting Services Manager

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

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Design and Drafting Services Manager roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Do CAD designers make good money?

CAD designers can earn a competitive salary, with the minimum around $123,670, a mid-range salary of approximately $142,150, and a maximum reaching up to $161,390. This range reflects the potential for a lucrative career in design and drafting services, depending on experience and expertise.

3. What is the highest paid CAD jobs?

The highest paid CAD jobs include positions like Design and Drafting Services Manager, with salaries ranging from $123,670 to $161,390, and a midpoint of $142,150. Other top roles in this field are Civil Engineer, Architect, and Mechanical Engineer, all of which offer competitive compensation and require specialized skills in design and drafting.

4. How do I become a CAD manager?

To become a CAD manager, you should master computer-aided design (CAD) software and leverage it effectively for your organization. Strong communication skills and project management abilities are essential. In this role, you can expect a salary ranging from $123,670 to $161,390, with a midpoint of $142,150, reflecting your expertise and responsibilities.

5. What is the basic salary for CAD?

The basic salary for a Design and Drafting Services Manager typically ranges from $123,670 to $161,390 annually, with a mid-salary of $142,150. Entry-level CAD designers may earn around $243,537 per year, while experienced designers can earn significantly more, reflecting the varying levels of expertise in the field.

6. Is CAD drafting a stressful job?

CAD drafting can be a stressful job, as drafters often face tight deadlines, complex project requirements, and the necessity for precision. However, with a salary range of $123,670 to $161,390, the financial rewards can be significant, which may help mitigate some of the stress associated with the role.

7. How much do CAD drafters charge per hour?

CAD drafters typically charge between $30 and $120 per hour, depending on their experience and the complexity of the project. For specialized roles like Design and Drafting Services Manager, salaries range from $123,670 to $161,390 annually, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities involved in managing design projects.

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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