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Tooling Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Tooling Engineer I make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tooling Engineer I in the United States is $77,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,617
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,590 to $83,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,309
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Tooling Engineer I Salaries

A Tooling 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 Tooling Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Tooling 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:

  • Tooling Engineer I (0-2 years): $77,314
  • Intermediate Tool Design Engineer (2-4 years): $90,688
  • Senior Tool Design Engineer (4-7 years): $108,021
  • Specialist Tool Design Engineer (7+ years): $125,226
  • Expert Tool Design Engineer (7-10 years): $147,624
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Tooling Engineer I0-2 years$77,314
Intermediate Tool Design Engineer2-4 years$90,688
Senior Tool Design Engineer4-7 years$108,021
Specialist Tool Design Engineer7+ years$125,226
Expert Tool Design Engineer7-10 years$147,624
View as Graph

How Do Tooling 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 Tooling Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $85,690.
  • California: $85,290.
  • Massachusetts: $84,190.

Top Paying Cities for Tooling 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: $97,590
  • San Francisco: $96,490
  • Oakland: $94,490

What Skills Can Increase a Tooling 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.13%
AutoCAD 2.33%
Billing 2.18%
See More Skills

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 Tooling 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 $87,451
13%
Hard Working $86,677
12%
Networking $85,129
10%
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Tooling Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Tooling Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,398. While startup companies pay approximate $73,157.

Tooling Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $73,157
Growth Stage 51~500 $77,354
Established 501~5000 $83,424
Enterprise 5000+ $86,398

Tooling Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Tooling Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Tooling Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Tooling Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Tooling Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$96,738$47.025%
Internet$92,868$45.020%
Energy & Utilities$88,998$43.015%
Aerospace & Defense$85,129$41.010%
Insurance$85,129$41.010%

How Education impacts a Tooling Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tooling 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 Tooling Engineer I with a Associate's Degree is between $72,038 and $77,509).

Tooling Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Tooling 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%
View as Graph

Tooling Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Tooling 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.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$71,590
Average $77,390/year
$83,790
$5,966
Average $6,449/month
$6,983
$1,377
Average $1,488/week
$1,611
$34
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,790 $6,983 $1,611 $40
Average $77,390 $6,449 $1,488 $37
25th Percentile $71,590 $5,966 $1,377 $34

Tooling Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Tooling Engineer I

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Advancement

For a Tooling 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.

Most common benefits for Tooling Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Tooling Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Tooling Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Tooling Engineer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Tooling Engineer I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Tooling Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Can an engineer make $500,000?

Can a tooling engineer make $500,000? While it's possible for some engineers to reach high compensation levels, the typical salary range for a tooling engineer is between $69,190 and $83,690. Most will not achieve the $500,000 mark, as it is significantly above the industry standard.

3. What is tooling in aerospace?

Aerospace tooling encompasses the equipment, tools, jigs, fixtures, and molds essential for fabricating and assembling aircraft and spacecraft components. Tooling Engineers in this field typically earn between $69,190 and $83,690, with a median salary of $78,690, reflecting the specialized skills required for this critical role in aerospace manufacturing.

4. How much do Tesla staff engineers make in the US?

The salary for a Tooling Engineer in the US ranges from $69,190 to $83,690, with a mid-point salary of $78,690. This data reflects the compensation for this role and may vary based on experience and location.

5. What is tooling skill?

Tooling refers to the process of designing, creating, and utilizing tools and equipment to facilitate manufacturing, assembly, or production tasks. This skill encompasses knowledge of various tool types, their applications, and the methods used to optimize production efficiency. Tooling Engineers typically earn between $69,190 and $83,690, with a median salary of $78,690.

6. How much does a Boeing tooling engineer make?

A Boeing Tooling Engineer typically earns between $69,190 and $83,690 annually, with a median salary around $78,690. This data reflects the salary range based on recent industry insights and may vary based on experience and location.

7. Which engineering is the richest?

While various engineering fields offer lucrative salaries, Tooling Engineers have a salary range that reflects their expertise. The minimum salary is $69,190, the mid-salary is $78,690, and the maximum salary reaches $83,690. Although not the highest-paying, Tooling Engineers play a crucial role in manufacturing and design processes.

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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