As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for an Expert Tool Design Engineer in the United States is $147,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.
However, an Expert Tool Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Expert Tool Design Engineer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Expert Tool Design Engineer'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate Tool Design Engineer | 2-4 years | $90,697 |
| Senior Tool Design Engineer | 4-7 years | $103,285 |
| Specialist Tool Design Engineer | 7+ years | $125,210 |
| Expert Tool Design Engineer | 7-10 years | $147,670 |
| Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager | 10+ years | $152,963 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Expert Tool Design Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 7.69% |
| Open Access | 3.85% |
| Feasibility Studies | 1.92% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Verbal Communication
|
$165,424 |
12%
|
|
New Product Introduction
|
$163,947 |
11%
|
|
Root Cause Analysis
|
$163,947 |
11%
|
|
OEM
|
$156,562 |
6%
|
|
Innovation
|
$155,085 |
5%
|
|
Attention to Detail
|
$153,608 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Expert Tool Design Engineers enter the field with a Associate'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 an Expert Tool Design Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $143,839 and $155,197).
Expert Tool Design Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 23.1% |
| High School | 23.1% |
| Associates | 34.6% |
| Bachelors | 38.5% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 3.8% |
Understanding how an Expert Tool Design Engineer'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 February 01, 2026For an Expert Tool Design Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $153,000 - a projected growth of 4% over your current level.
Salaries for an Expert Tool Design Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $146,627 in 2023 to around $144,393 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Expert Tool Design Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $146,627 |
| 2024 | $146,003 |
| 2025 | $144,393 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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One of the highest-paid design jobs is that of an Expert Tool Design Engineer, with a salary range from $135,700 to $176,800. The average salary for this role is approximately $156,500. Other top-paying design positions include User Experience (UX) Designer, Product Designer, and Creative Director, among others.
A Tooling Engineer in the USA typically earns between $135,700 and $176,800 annually, with a median salary of around $156,500. This translates to approximately $65.19 to $84.92 per hour, or $11,475 to $14,733 monthly.
A Tooling Engineer at Lockheed Martin can expect a salary range between $135,700 and $176,800, with a median salary of around $156,500. This reflects a competitive compensation package that exceeds the national average for similar roles.
To become a tooling engineer, a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field is essential. Candidates should have professional experience in manufacturing and design, along with strong problem-solving and math skills. The salary for this role typically ranges from $135,700 to $176,800, with a midpoint of $156,500.
A Boeing Tooling Engineer can expect a salary range between $135,700 and $176,800, with a midpoint of around $156,500. This reflects a more specialized role compared to the average yearly pay of approximately $88,779 reported for tooling engineers in the U.S., indicating higher compensation for expertise in tool design.
A good salary for an Expert Tool Design Engineer in the USA ranges from $135,700 to $176,800 per year, with a median salary of $156,500. This reflects the specialized skills and experience required in this field, significantly higher than the average engineer salary of $107,455.
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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