As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a CAD Manager in the United States is $61, which translates to an annual salary of about $127,295.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A CAD 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a CAD 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CAD Drafter V | 7-10 years | $138,135 |
| CAD Supervisor | 10+ years | $93,848 |
| CAD Senior Supervisor | 10+ years | $112,006 |
| CAD Manager | 10+ years | $127,295 |
| CAD Senior Manager | 10+ years | $155,530 |
What Am I Worth?
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 CAD Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 3.54% |
| Digital Design | 2.48% |
| System Maintenance | 1.27% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Software Engineering
|
$140,025 |
10%
|
|
Goal Setting
|
$133,660 |
5%
|
|
Scheduling
|
$132,387 |
4%
|
|
Digital Design
|
$132,387 |
4%
|
|
Analysis
|
$131,114 |
3%
|
|
Innovation
|
$131,114 |
3%
|
Understanding how a CAD 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 May 01, 2026Salaries for a CAD Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $129,933 in 2023 to around $129,752 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CAD Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $129,933 |
| 2024 | $131,015 |
| 2025 | $129,752 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for CAD Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Manages a team of computer-aided design (CAD) drafters, designers, and/or technicians. Establishes departmental standards for software, techniques, and tools to prepare technical drawings. Utilizes CAD tools to facilitate benchmarking, concept design, prototype development, simulation, and testing protocols. Establishes deadlines, develops goals, and determines production standards for the department. Coordinates with engineers, designers, and/or CAD drafters to ensure stakeholder satisfaction with projects. Evaluates project results to design, develop, and implement guidelines and procedures to improve efficiencies. Recommends potential new uses for CAD within the organization. Uses knowledge of the field to keep the department's software, techniques, and tools up to date. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Leadership: Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
Digital Design: Ability to use tools and software to create and present information or a product through a digital interface.
System Maintenance: Modifying a system to correct faults and errors to a changed requirements.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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