Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager make in the United States?

As of July 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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $167,519
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $146,100 to $160,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $139,818
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
View as table View as graph 25% $146,100 10% $139,818 90% $167,519 75% $160,600 $153,000 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

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
Check out Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Job Openings in the United States
Tool Room Engineering Technician

Ramco Specialties Inc - Hudson, OH

On

e8 Engineering - BUFFALO, NY

Engineering Test Lab Manager

Adams Thermal Systems - SIOUX FALLS, SD

Director of Engineering

Lane Enterprises Inc - CAMP HILL, PA

Search More Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Salaries?

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:

  • Intermediate Tool Design Engineer (2-4 years): $90,691
  • Senior Tool Design Engineer (4-7 years): $103,275
  • Specialist Tool Design Engineer (7+ years): $125,220
  • Expert Tool Design Engineer (7-10 years): $147,641
  • Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager (10+ years): $152,926
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Tool Design Engineer2-4 years$90,691
Senior Tool Design Engineer4-7 years$103,275
Specialist Tool Design Engineer7+ years$125,220
Expert Tool Design Engineer7-10 years$147,641
Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager10+ years$152,926
$90,691 Intermedi...
$103,275 Senior To...
$125,220 Specialis...
$147,641 Expert To...
$152,926 Tool Spec...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager 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 Engineering Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $169,400.
  • California: $168,700.
  • Massachusetts: $166,500.

Top Paying Cities for Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Managers

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: $192,900
  • San Francisco: $190,800
  • Oakland: $186,800

Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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 $171,235. While startup companies pay approximate $144,881.

Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$144,881
Growth Stage51~500$153,209
Established501~5000$165,379
Enterprise5000+$171,235

Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 5% above the average. In contrast, Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$160,650$77.05%
Biotechnology$160,650$77.05%
Pharmaceuticals$160,650$77.05%

How Education impacts a Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager's Salary?

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).

Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Salaries by Degree Level

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%
view as graph

Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager

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, .

Average Annual Salary of Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$153,524
2024
$152,799
2025
$148,916
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $153,524
2024 $152,799
2025 $148,916
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager

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

Find Your Next Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager Job

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

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Tool Specifications/Design Engineering Manager roles, with salaries approximately 5% above the market median.

2. What degree do you need to be a tooling engineer?

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.

3. What is the highest salary for a design manager?

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.

4. What type of manager pays the most?

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.

5. What is the highest paying engineering manager's salary?

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.

6. What is the highest salary for a software engineer manager?

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.

7. What is the difference between a design manager and a project manager?

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.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job