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CAD Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a CAD Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAD Manager in the United States is $127,327 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

However, a CAD Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $149,576
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $115,525 to $138,973
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104,780
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAD Manager Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects CAD Manager Salaries?

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:

  • CAD Drafter V (7-10 years): $138,113
  • CAD Supervisor (10+ years): $93,856
  • CAD Senior Supervisor (10+ years): $112,005
  • CAD Manager (10+ years): $127,327
  • CAD Senior Manager (10+ years): $155,538
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAD Drafter V7-10 years$138,113
CAD Supervisor10+ years$93,856
CAD Senior Supervisor10+ years$112,005
CAD Manager10+ years$127,327
CAD Senior Manager10+ years$155,538
View as Graph

How Do CAD 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 CAD Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $140,976.
  • California: $140,442.
  • Massachusetts: $138,570.

Top Paying Cities for CAD 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: $160,598
  • San Francisco: $158,839
  • Oakland: $155,492

What Skills Can Increase a CAD Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 3.54% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Digital Design (Mentioned in 2.48% Job Postings): Ability to use tools and software to create and present information or a product through a digital interface.
  • System Maintenance (Mentioned in 1.27% Job Postings): Modifying a system to correct faults and errors to a changed requirements.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 3.54%
Digital Design 2.48%
System Maintenance 1.27%
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 CAD Manager's salary.

  • Software Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Goal Setting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Software Engineering $140,060
10%
Goal Setting $133,693
5%
Scheduling $132,420
4%
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CAD Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CAD Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $142,293. While startup companies pay approximate $120,366.

CAD Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $120,366
Growth Stage 51~500 $127,299
Established 501~5000 $137,402
Enterprise 5000+ $142,293

CAD Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAD Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, CAD Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAD Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAD Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$178,258$86.040%
Pharmaceuticals$171,891$83.035%
Biotechnology$165,525$80.030%
Software & Networking$165,525$80.030%
Energy & Utilities$146,426$70.015%

CAD Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 September 01, 2026
$115,525
Average $127,327/year
$138,973
$9,627
Average $10,611/month
$11,581
$2,222
Average $2,449/week
$2,673
$56
Average $61/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $138,973 $11,581 $2,673 $67
Average $127,327 $10,611 $2,449 $61
25th Percentile $115,525 $9,627 $2,222 $56

CAD Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

CAD Manager

Next Role

For a CAD Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAD Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $155,538 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for CAD Manager

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

Common company salaries for CAD Manager

Here are companies hiring for CAD Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about CAD Manager

1. Where can a CAD Manager earn the most?

A CAD Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a CAD Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a CAD Manager is $160,598.

2. What is the highest pay for CAD Manager?

The highest pay for CAD Manager is $149,576.

3. What is the lowest pay for CAD Manager?

The lowest pay for CAD Manager is $104,780.

4. What are the responsibilities of CAD Manager?

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for CAD Manager?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for CAD Manager roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

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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