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Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV in the United States is $125,230 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $141,622
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $119,270 to $133,810
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $113,844
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View as table View as graph 25% $119,270 10% $113,844 90% $141,622 75% $133,810 $125,230 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $133,810 $11,151 $2,573 $64
Average $125,230 $10,436 $2,408 $60
25th Percentile $119,270 $9,939 $2,294 $57
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Key Factors That Influence Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV Salaries

A Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV'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 IV'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:

  • Intermediate Tool Design Engineer (2-4 years): $90,690
  • Senior Tool Design Engineer (4-7 years): $103,273
  • Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,222
  • Expert Tool Design Engineer (7-10 years): $147,635
  • Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager (10+ years): $152,919
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Tool Design Engineer2-4 years$90,690
Senior Tool Design Engineer4-7 years$103,273
Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV7+ years$125,222
Expert Tool Design Engineer7-10 years$147,635
Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager10+ years$152,919
$90,690 Intermedi...
$103,273 Senior To...
$125,222 Tool Spec...
$147,635 Expert To...
$152,919 Tool Spec...
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $138,650.
  • California: $138,120.
  • Massachusetts: $136,280.

Top Paying Cities for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IVs

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: $157,950
  • San Francisco: $156,220
  • Oakland: $152,930

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 7.69% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Open Access (Mentioned in 3.85% Job Postings): Open Access (OA) refers to all electronic resources that are made widely available on the internet without licensing and copyright restrictions. Open Access resources can include articles, journals, books, conference proceedings, theses, music, etc.
  • Feasibility Studies (Mentioned in 1.92% Job Postings): A feasibility study is the initial design stage to any project or plan. As the name implies, a feasibility study is an analysis into the viability of an idea.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 7.69%
Open Access 3.85%
Feasibility Studies 1.92%
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 IV's salary.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Exploration: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership
$139,005
11%
Exploration
$133,996
7%
Commitment
$133,996
7%
Lean Manufacturing
$131,492
5%
Problem Solving
$131,492
5%
Analysis
$131,492
5%
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Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $140,188. While startup companies pay approximate $118,596.

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$118,596
Growth Stage51~500$125,429
Established501~5000$135,376
Enterprise5000+$140,188

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV 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 Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Tool Specifications/Design Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$150,276$72.020%
Financial Services$150,276$72.020%
Internet$150,276$72.020%
Pharmaceuticals$150,276$72.020%
Software & Networking$150,276$72.020%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IVs 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 IV with a Associate's Degree is between $122,073 and $130,442).

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 18.2%
High School 18.2%
Associates 36.4%
Bachelors 45.5%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV'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 August 01, 2026

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Expert Tool Design Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $147,700 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV

Salaries for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $122,139 in 2023 to around $120,725 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV salary trends, .

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

2022
$???
2023
$122,139
2024
$121,655
2025
$120,725
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $122,139
2024 $121,655
2025 $120,725
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV

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

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

Find Your Next Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
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    CDL

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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does a tooling engineer earn in USA?

As of now, the salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer in the United States ranges from a minimum of $115,360 to a maximum of $147,520, with a mid-range salary of $130,260. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $55.40 to $70.83, or about $2,195 to $2,900 per week.

3. What is the highest paid design job?

One of the highest paid design jobs is that of a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer, with a salary range from $115,360 to $147,520. The average salary for this role is approximately $130,260. This position is highly valued in the industry, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in design engineering.

4. Do engineers make 300k a year?

Engineers typically do not make $300,000 a year. For a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer, the salary ranges from $115,360 to $147,520, with a mid-salary of $130,260. While competitive, these figures are below the $300,000 mark. If you have the right skills and experience, consider applying for roles that match these salary expectations.

5. How much does Meta pay Software Engineer IV?

The average annual total compensation for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer is approximately $130k, with salaries typically ranging from $115k to $148k. This data reflects the compensation structure for this role, providing a clear understanding of potential earnings in the field.

6. What is the highest salary for a design engineer?

The highest salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer is $147,520 per year. The average starting salary is significantly lower, with entry-level positions typically earning around $115,360 annually. With experience, salaries can rise, reflecting the demand and expertise in the field.

7. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineering role in the USA is the Tool Specifications/Design Engineer, with a salary range from $115,360 to $147,520. The median salary for this position is approximately $130,260, making it a lucrative career choice compared to other engineering jobs listed by US News.

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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