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Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V Salary in the United States

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

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V in the United States is $147,660 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $157,785
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $141,820 to $152,960
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $136,503
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View as table View as graph 25% $141,820 10% $136,503 90% $157,785 75% $152,960 $147,660 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $152,960 $12,747 $2,942 $74
Average $147,660 $12,305 $2,840 $71
25th Percentile $141,820 $11,818 $2,727 $68
Check out Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V Job Openings in the United States
Machine Tool Sales Engineer

ESR Healthcare - Cleveland, OH

CNC Machine Tool Sales Engineer

Swift Placement & Consulting - Cleveland, OH

Test Engineer

RNR Industries - ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL

Machinist Tool and Die Maker

Santucci Process Development - MC KEES ROCKS, PA

Search More Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V Salaries

A Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V'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 V'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): $90,694
  • Senior Tool Design Engineer (4-7 years): $103,281
  • Specialist Tool Design Engineer (7+ years): $125,214
  • Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $147,658
  • Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager (10+ years): $152,948
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Tool Design Engineer2-4 years$90,694
Senior Tool Design Engineer4-7 years$103,281
Specialist Tool Design Engineer7+ years$125,214
Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V7-10 years$147,658
Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager10+ years$152,948
$90,694 Intermedi...
$103,281 Senior To...
$125,214 Specialis...
$147,658 Tool Spec...
$152,948 Tool Spec...
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $163,490.
  • California: $162,870.
  • Massachusetts: $160,700.

Top Paying Cities for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer Vs

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: $186,250
  • San Francisco: $184,420
  • Oakland: $180,320

What Skills Can Increase a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V'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 V's salary.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • New Product Introduction: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Verbal Communication
$165,379
12%
New Product Introduction
$163,903
11%
Root Cause Analysis
$163,903
11%
OEM
$156,520
6%
Innovation
$155,043
5%
Attention to Detail
$153,566
4%
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How Education impacts a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tool Specifications/Design Engineer Vs 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 V with a Associate's Degree is between $143,790 and $155,129).

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V
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%
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Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V'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 April 01, 2026

Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V, 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.

Salary Trends for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V

Salaries for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V 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 Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V salary trends, .

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

2022
$???
2023
$146,627
2024
$146,003
2025
$144,393
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $146,627
2024 $146,003
2025 $144,393
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V

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

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

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FAQ about Tool Specifications/Design Engineer V

1. How much does a tooling engineer make in Michigan?

As of now, the salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer in Michigan ranges from a minimum of $135,610 to a maximum of $176,730, with a mid-range salary of $156,440. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $65.00 to $84.92, or about $2,800 to $3,500 per week.

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

Tool Design Engineers in the US earn an annual salary ranging from $135,610 to $176,730, with a median salary of $156,440. This reflects a competitive compensation structure in the industry, ensuring that skilled professionals are well-rewarded for their expertise and contributions.

3. What is the expected salary for a design engineer?

The expected salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer ranges from $135,610 to $176,730 annually, with a midpoint of $156,440. This reflects the competitive nature of the role and the expertise required in the field.

4. Is design engineering a stressful job?

As a design engineer, you create initial prototypes for products, facing complex challenges that can add stress to the role. With a salary range from $135,610 to $176,730, the position comes with tight deadlines, requiring a balance between creativity and functionality. While rewarding, the demands of the job can contribute to its stressful nature.

5. 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 $135,610 to $176,730. The average salary for this position is approximately $156,440, making it one of the top-paying engineering jobs in the country.

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

The salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineer in the US ranges from a minimum of $135,610 to a maximum of $176,730, with a mid-salary of $156,440. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the value of expertise and experience in design engineering roles.

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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