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Printed Circuit Board Designer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Printed Circuit Board Designer I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Printed Circuit Board Designer I in the United States is $73,939 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a Printed Circuit Board Designer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,390
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,917 to $82,550
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,434
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Printed Circuit Board Designer I Salaries

A Printed Circuit Board Designer 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 Printed Circuit Board Designer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Printed Circuit Board Designer 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:

  • Printed Circuit Board Designer I (0-2 years): $73,939
  • Printed Circuit Board Designer II (2-4 years): $87,928
  • Printed Circuit Board Designer III (4-7 years): $103,031
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Printed Circuit Board Designer I0-2 years$73,939
Printed Circuit Board Designer II2-4 years$87,928
Printed Circuit Board Designer III4-7 years$103,031
View as Graph

How Do Printed Circuit Board Designer Is 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 Printed Circuit Board Designer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,865.
  • California: $81,555.
  • Massachusetts: $80,468.

Top Paying Cities for Printed Circuit Board Designer I

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: $93,259
  • San Francisco: $92,238
  • Oakland: $90,294

What Skills Can Increase a Printed Circuit Board Designer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 8.93% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • Illustrator (Mentioned in 2.83% Job Postings): Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and design program developed and marketed by Adobe Inc. Originally designed for the Apple Macintosh, development of Adobe Illustrator began in 1985. Along with Creative Cloud, Illustrator CC was released.
  • Schematic (Mentioned in 1.55% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 8.93%
Illustrator 2.83%
Schematic 1.55%
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 Printed Circuit Board Designer I's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $84,290
14%
Insight $83,551
13%
Consulting $82,812
12%
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Printed Circuit Board Designer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Printed Circuit Board Designer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,770. While startup companies pay approximate $70,022.

Printed Circuit Board Designer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $70,022
Growth Stage 51~500 $74,056
Established 501~5000 $79,930
Enterprise 5000+ $82,770

Printed Circuit Board Designer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Printed Circuit Board Designer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Printed Circuit Board Designer positions in MFG Durable or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Printed Circuit Board Designer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Printed Circuit Board Designer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$96,121$46.030%
Aerospace & Defense$88,727$43.020%
Telecom$81,333$39.010%

How Education impacts an Printed Circuit Board Designer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Printed Circuit Board Designer I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Printed Circuit Board Designer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $65,184 and $72,616.

Printed Circuit Board Designer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Printed Circuit Board Designer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.5%
High School 9.1%
Associates 40.9%
Bachelors 27.3%
Masters 4.5%
Doctorate 13.6%
View as Graph

Printed Circuit Board Designer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Printed Circuit Board Designer 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 August 01, 2026
$67,917
Average $73,939/year
$82,550
$5,660
Average $6,162/month
$6,879
$1,306
Average $1,422/week
$1,588
$33
Average $36/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,550 $6,879 $1,588 $40
Average $73,939 $6,162 $1,422 $36
25th Percentile $67,917 $5,660 $1,306 $33

Printed Circuit Board Designer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Printed Circuit Board Designer I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Printed Circuit Board Designer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Printed Circuit Board Designer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $87,928 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Printed Circuit Board Designer I

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

Common company salaries for Printed Circuit Board Designer I

Here are companies hiring for Printed Circuit Board Designer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Printed Circuit Board Designer I

1. Where can a Printed Circuit Board Designer I earn the most?

A Printed Circuit Board Designer I'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 Printed Circuit Board Designer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Printed Circuit Board Designer I is $93,259.

2. What is the highest pay for Printed Circuit Board Designer I?

The highest pay for Printed Circuit Board Designer I is $90,390.

3. What is the lowest pay for Printed Circuit Board Designer I?

The lowest pay for Printed Circuit Board Designer I is $62,434.

4. What are the responsibilities of Printed Circuit Board Designer I?

Designs and develops printed circuit boards. Generates documents using computer aided drafting (CAD) for schematic, assembly, and fabrication drawings. Drafts layouts for standard and dense, high-speed, multi-layer boards. Helps engineers identify and resolve mechanical design issues. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Printed Circuit Board Designer I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Printed Circuit Board Designer I roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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