Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Tool Design Engineer I Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tool Design Engineer I in the United States is $77,313 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,695
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,505 to $83,794
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,217
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Tool Design Engineer I Salaries

A Tool Design 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 Tool Design Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Tool Design 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:

  • Tool Design Engineer I (0-2 years): $77,313
  • Tool Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,689
  • Tool Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $103,271
  • Tool Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,224
  • Tool Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $147,629
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Tool Design Engineer I0-2 years$77,313
Tool Design Engineer II2-4 years$90,689
Tool Design Engineer III4-7 years$103,271
Tool Design Engineer IV7+ years$125,224
Tool Design Engineer V7-10 years$147,629
View as Graph

How Do Tool Design 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 Tool Design Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $85,601.
  • California: $85,276.
  • Massachusetts: $84,140.

Top Paying Cities for Tool Design 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: $97,515
  • San Francisco: $96,447
  • Oakland: $94,415

What Skills Can Increase a Tool Design 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 Tool Design 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 $87,364
13%
Hard Working $86,591
12%
Networking $85,044
10%
Get Latest Data

Tool Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Tool Design Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,400. While startup companies pay approximate $73,086.

Tool Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $73,086
Growth Stage 51~500 $77,296
Established 501~5000 $83,431
Enterprise 5000+ $86,400

Tool Design Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Tool Design 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, Tool Design Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Tool Design Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Tool Design Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$96,641$46.025%
Internet$92,776$45.020%
Energy & Utilities$88,910$43.015%
Aerospace & Defense$85,044$41.010%
Insurance$85,044$41.010%

How Education impacts a Tool Design Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tool Design Engineer 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 Tool Design Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $73,871 and $78,633.

Tool Design Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Tool Design 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

Tool Design Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Tool Design 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 September 01, 2026
$71,505
Average $77,313/year
$83,794
$5,959
Average $6,443/month
$6,983
$1,375
Average $1,487/week
$1,611
$34
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,794 $6,983 $1,611 $40
Average $77,313 $6,443 $1,487 $37
25th Percentile $71,505 $5,959 $1,375 $34

Tool Design Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Tool Design Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Tool Design Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Tool Design Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $90,689 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Tool Design Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Tool Design Engineer I

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

Find Your Next Tool Design Engineer I Job

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

For Employees

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

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

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

Adjust Employee Salary

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

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Tool Design Engineer I

1. Where can a Tool Design Engineer I earn the most?

A Tool Design Engineer 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 Tool Design Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Tool Design Engineer I is $97,515.

2. What is the highest pay for Tool Design Engineer I?

The highest pay for Tool Design Engineer I is $89,695.

3. What is the lowest pay for Tool Design Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Tool Design Engineer I is $66,217.

4. What are the responsibilities of Tool Design Engineer I?

Designs and develops tools and machinery used to facilitate and optimize manufacturing processes. Reviews product design and build requirements to determine tooling concepts, design options, testing plans, and specifications. Develops designs for fixtures, jigs, gauges, cutting and forming tools, carts, racks, and other items to support production. Utilizes Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to create accurate, complete, and concise design models and documentation to fabricate tools. Estimates costs, resource requirements, and materials required for tools. May manage the sourcing, quoting, or procurement of purchased tools. Typically requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or 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 Tool Design Engineer I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Tool Design Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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.

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