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Senior Tool Design Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Senior Tool Design Engineer make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Tool Design Engineer in the United States is $103,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Senior Tool Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $118,584
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,600 to $111,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $88,590
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View as table View as graph 25% $95,600 10% $88,590 90% $118,584 75% $111,300 $103,300 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Tool Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $111,300 $9,275 $2,140 $54
Average $103,300 $8,608 $1,987 $50
25th Percentile $95,600 $7,967 $1,838 $46
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Key Factors That Influence Senior Tool Design Engineer Salaries

A Senior 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.

How Experience Level Affects Senior Tool Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior 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:

  • Entry Tool Design Engineer (0-2 years): $77,311
  • Intermediate Tool Design Engineer (2-4 years): $90,693
  • Senior Tool Design Engineer (4-7 years): $103,279
  • Specialist Tool Design Engineer (7+ years): $125,216
  • Expert Tool Design Engineer (7-10 years): $147,652
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Tool Design Engineer0-2 years$77,311
Intermediate Tool Design Engineer2-4 years$90,693
Senior Tool Design Engineer4-7 years$103,279
Specialist Tool Design Engineer7+ years$125,216
Expert Tool Design Engineer7-10 years$147,652
$77,311 Entry Too...
$90,693 Intermedi...
$103,279 Senior To...
$125,216 Specialis...
$147,652 Expert To...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Senior Tool Design Engineers

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: $130,300
  • San Francisco: $128,900
  • Oakland: $126,200

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Tool Design Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.61% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Architectural Drawing (Mentioned in 3.09% Job Postings): Architectural drawing or architect's drawing is a technical drawing of a building (or building project) that falls within the definition of architecture.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.61%
Architectural Drawing 3.09%
Work Ethic 2.06%
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 Senior Tool Design Engineer's salary.
  • Customer Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Strategic Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Business Ethics: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Communications
$111,564
8%
Strategic Planning
$111,564
8%
Business Ethics
$109,498
6%
Hard Working
$107,432
4%
Logistics
$106,399
3%
Organizing
$106,399
3%
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How Education impacts a Senior Tool Design Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Senior 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 a Senior Tool Design Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $104,721 and $112,060).

Senior Tool Design Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Senior Tool Design Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.7%
High School 23.1%
Associates 30.8%
Bachelors 30.8%
Masters 7.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Senior Tool Design Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior 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 May 01, 2026

Senior Tool Design Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Senior Tool Design Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Specialist Tool Design Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $125,300 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Senior Tool Design Engineer

Salaries for a Senior Tool Design Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $105,412 in 2023 to around $100,912 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Senior Tool Design Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Senior Tool Design Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$105,412
2024
$102,848
2025
$100,912
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $105,412
2024 $102,848
2025 $100,912
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Senior Tool Design Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Senior Tool Design Engineer

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FAQ about Senior Tool Design Engineer

1. How much do tool engineers make at Boeing?

Tool Design Engineers at Boeing can expect a salary range from $98,300 to $123,500, with a median salary of around $112,200. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role, aligning with industry standards for experienced professionals in the field.

2. What is the average senior engineer salary in USA?

As of January 21, 2025, the average annual salary for a Senior Tool Design Engineer in the United States ranges from $98,300 to $123,500, with a midpoint of $112,200. This translates to approximately $47.24 to $59.40 per hour, or $1,894 to $2,562 per week, and $8,500 to $10,546 per month.

3. Does engineering pay 6 figures?

Yes, engineering can pay six figures. For example, a Senior Tool Design Engineer has a salary range with a minimum of $98,300, a mid-level salary of $112,200, and a maximum of $123,500. This demonstrates that many engineering roles, especially at senior levels, offer competitive salaries well above the six-figure mark.

4. What is higher than senior designer?

After reaching the Senior Designer role, the next step typically is a Lead Designer or Design Director position. These roles involve more leadership and decision-making responsibilities, guiding the creative vision for projects, and often managing a team of designers. Salaries for Senior Tool Design Engineers range from $98,300 to $123,500, with a midpoint of $112,200.

5. What is the highest salary of AutoCAD designer?

The salary data for a Senior Tool Design Engineer indicates a minimum salary of $98,300, a mid-range salary of $112,200, and a maximum salary of $123,500. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, with the highest salary reaching $123,500, showcasing the potential earnings for experienced professionals.

6. How much do tool design engineers make in the US?

Tool Design Engineers in the US earn between $98,300 and $123,500 annually, with a median salary of $112,200. This reflects a competitive salary range, indicating that experienced professionals in this field can expect to earn a substantial income.

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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