As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager in the United States is $153,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.
However, a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $160,600 | $13,383 | $3,088 | $77 |
| Average | $153,000 | $12,750 | $2,942 | $74 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,100 | $12,175 | $2,810 | $70 |
A Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager'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 a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager'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 | $90,689 |
| Senior Tool Design Engineer | 4-7 years | $103,271 |
| Specialist Tool Design Engineer | 7+ years | $125,224 |
| Expert Tool Design Engineer | 7-10 years | $147,629 |
| Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager | 10+ years | $152,912 |
Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $171,090. While startup companies pay approximate $144,794.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $144,794 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $153,108 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $165,232 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $171,090 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Managers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Engineering Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $161,966 and $173,539).
| Typical Education for Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 40.0% |
| High School | 20.0% |
| Associates | 40.0% |
| Bachelors | 20.0% |
| Masters | 40.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $160,600 | $13,383 | $3,088 | $77 |
| Average | $153,000 | $12,750 | $2,942 | $74 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,100 | $12,175 | $2,810 | $70 |
Salaries for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $153,524 in 2023 to around $148,916 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $153,524 |
| 2024 | $152,799 |
| 2025 | $148,916 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager roles, with salaries approximately 5% above the market median.
To become a tooling engineer, a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field is essential. The role involves designing new parts and refining existing tooling. Ideal candidates should have professional experience in manufacturing and design, along with strong problem-solving and math skills. The salary for this position ranges from $153,000 to $200,200, with a midpoint of $171,400.
The highest salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager is $200,200 per year. The salary range typically starts at $153,000, with a mid-level salary of $171,400. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role in the industry.
The Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager role offers competitive salaries, with a minimum of $153,000, a mid-range of $171,400, and a maximum of $200,200. This positions it among the top-paying jobs in business management, surpassing many other managerial roles such as Administrative Service Manager and Project Manager.
The highest paying engineering manager's salary is for the Software Engineering Manager, which is approximately $194,000. However, the salary data for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager shows a minimum salary of $153,000, a mid-range salary of $171,400, and a maximum salary of $200,200, indicating competitive compensation in this field.
The highest salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager is $200,200. The salary range typically starts at a minimum of $153,000, with a mid-level salary around $171,400. This reflects the competitive compensation for roles in engineering management.
In summary, project management focuses on the overall execution of a project, ensuring timelines and budgets are met, while design management emphasizes the creative and strategic aspects of the design process. The salary for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager ranges from $153,000 to $200,200, with a midpoint of $171,400, reflecting the importance of both roles in successful project outcomes.
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