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Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I make in the United States?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I in the United States is $77,320 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,700
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,510 to $83,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,220
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View as table View as graph 25% $71,510 10% $66,220 90% $89,700 75% $83,800 $77,320 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $83,800 $6,983 $1,612 $40
Average $77,320 $6,443 $1,487 $37
25th Percentile $71,510 $5,959 $1,375 $34
Check out Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Tool Fixture Design Engineer

Jobot - Mason, OH

Machine Tool Sales Engineer

ESR Healthcare - Cleveland, OH

Tool And Die Engineer

Actalent - Columbus, OH

TOOL DESIGN ENGINEER

Hi-Tek Manufacturing Inc - Mason, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I Salaries

A Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I'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 Tool Specifications/Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I'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:

  • Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I (0-2 years): $77,312
  • Intermediate Tool Design Engineer (2-4 years): $90,692
  • Senior Tool Design Engineer (4-7 years): $103,277
  • Specialist Tool Design Engineer (7+ years): $125,218
  • Expert Tool Design Engineer (7-10 years): $147,646
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I0-2 years$77,312
Intermediate Tool Design Engineer2-4 years$90,692
Senior Tool Design Engineer4-7 years$103,277
Specialist Tool Design Engineer7+ years$125,218
Expert Tool Design Engineer7-10 years$147,646
$77,312 Tool Spec...
$90,692 Intermedi...
$103,277 Senior To...
$125,218 Specialis...
$147,646 Expert To...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I 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 Tool Specifications/Design Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $85,600.
  • California: $85,280.
  • Massachusetts: $84,140.

Top Paying Cities for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer Is

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: $97,520
  • San Francisco: $96,450
  • Oakland: $94,420

What Skills Can Increase a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.13% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 2.33% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 2.18% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.13%
AutoCAD 2.33%
Billing 2.18%
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 Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I's salary.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Hard Working: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Presentation
 $87,372
13%
Hard Working
 $86,598
12%
Networking
 $85,052
10%
Initiative
 $83,506
8%
RFP
 $83,506
8%
Customer Service
 $82,732
7%
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Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,482. While startup companies pay approximate $73,138.

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$73,138
Growth Stage51~500$77,355
Established501~5000$83,515
Enterprise5000+$86,482

How Education impacts a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tool Specifications/Design Engineer Is 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 Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I with a Associate's Degree is between $71,973 and $77,468).

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 11.1%
High School 11.1%
Associates 27.8%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 11.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on June 01, 2026
$71,510
Average $77,320/year
$83,800
$5,959
Average $6,443/month
$6,983
$1,375
Average $1,487/week
$1,612
$34
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,800 $6,983 $1,612 $40
Average $77,320 $6,443 $1,487 $37
25th Percentile $71,510 $5,959 $1,375 $34

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I
Intermediate Tool Design Engineer
Senior Tool Design Engineer

For a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Tool Design Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $90,700 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I

Salary Trends for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I

Salaries for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $70,043 in 2023 to around $70,134 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$70,043
2024
$70,399
2025
$70,134
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $70,043
2024 $70,399
2025 $70,134
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I

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

Here are companies hiring for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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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