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Tool Design Engineering Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Tool Design Engineering Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tool Design Engineering Manager in the United States is $152,905 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $167,487
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $146,058 to $160,538
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $139,824
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Tool Design Engineering Manager Salaries

A Tool Design Engineering 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Tool Design Engineering Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Tool Design Engineering 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:

  • Tool Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,688
  • Tool Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $108,021
  • Tool Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,226
  • Tool Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $147,624
  • Tool Design Engineering Manager (10+ years): $152,905
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Tool Design Engineer II2-4 years$90,688
Tool Design Engineer III4-7 years$108,021
Tool Design Engineer IV7+ years$125,226
Tool Design Engineer V7-10 years$147,624
Tool Design Engineering Manager10+ years$152,905
View as Graph

How Do Tool Design Engineering 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 Tool Design Engineering Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $169,296.
  • California: $168,654.
  • Massachusetts: $166,407.

Top Paying Cities for Tool Design Engineering 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: $192,859
  • San Francisco: $190,747
  • Oakland: $186,728

Tool Design Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Tool Design Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $170,793. While startup companies pay approximate $144,688.

Tool Design Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $144,688
Growth Stage 51~500 $152,962
Established 501~5000 $164,937
Enterprise 5000+ $170,793

Tool Design Engineering Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Tool Design Engineering Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 5% above the average. In contrast, Tool Design Engineering Manager positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Tool Design Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Tool Design Engineering Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$160,550$77.05%
Biotechnology$160,550$77.05%
Pharmaceuticals$160,550$77.05%

How Education impacts a Tool Design Engineering Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tool Design Engineering Manager 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 Engineering Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $162,744 and $174,382.

Tool Design Engineering Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Tool Design Engineering Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 40.0%
High School 20.0%
Associates 40.0%
Bachelors 20.0%
Masters 40.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Tool Design Engineering Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Tool Design Engineering 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 October 01, 2026
$146,058
Average $152,905/year
$160,538
$12,172
Average $12,742/month
$13,378
$2,809
Average $2,940/week
$3,087
$70
Average $74/hour
$77
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $160,538 $13,378 $3,087 $77
Average $152,905 $12,742 $2,940 $74
25th Percentile $146,058 $12,172 $2,809 $70

Most common benefits for Tool Design Engineering Manager

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

Common company salaries for Tool Design Engineering Manager

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

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FAQ about Tool Design Engineering Manager

1. Where can a Tool Design Engineering Manager earn the most?

A Tool Design Engineering 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 Tool Design Engineering Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Tool Design Engineering Manager is $192,859.

2. What is the highest pay for Tool Design Engineering Manager?

The highest pay for Tool Design Engineering Manager is $167,487.

3. What is the lowest pay for Tool Design Engineering Manager?

The lowest pay for Tool Design Engineering Manager is $139,824.

4. What are the responsibilities of Tool Design Engineering Manager?

Manages the design and development of tools and machinery to facilitate and optimize manufacturing processes. Leads design reviews to determine tooling concepts, design options, testing plans, and specifications. Provides expert input to resolve design issues and innovate solutions. Oversees the design, fabrication, sourcing, and procurement of fixtures, jigs, gauges, cutting and forming tools, carts, racks, and other items to support production. Ensures design documentation and models for the fabrication of tools are accurately prepared. Controls budgets, costs, resource allocation, and materials required for tools. Typically requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Tool Design Engineering Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Tool Design Engineering Manager roles, with salaries approximately 5% 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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