As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Engineering Manager in the United States is $136,973 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.
However, a Design Engineering Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| CAE Desig... Level Design Engineering Manager | $95,729 |
| CAE Desig... Level Design Engineering Manager | $122,486 |
| Design En... Level Design Engineering Manager | $136,092 |
| CAE Desig... Level Design Engineering Manager | $182,358 |
| CAE Desig... Level Design Engineering Manager | $225,127 |
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 Design Engineering Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Written Communication | 11.11% |
| CAD | 2.88% |
| Construction Management | 0.82% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Interviewing
|
$152,040 |
11%
|
|
3D Rendering
|
$150,670 |
10%
|
|
3D Scanning
|
$147,931 |
8%
|
|
Coaching
|
$147,931 |
8%
|
|
Leadership
|
$142,452 |
4%
|
|
Project Design
|
$141,082 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Design Engineering Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Design Engineering Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $133,664 and $143,905).
Design Engineering Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 10.3% |
| Associates | 14.7% |
| Bachelors | 51.6% |
| Masters | 19.4% |
| Doctorate | 3.6% |
Understanding how a 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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Design Engineering Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $132,821 in 2023 to around $132,058 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Design Engineering Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $132,821 |
| 2024 | $133,076 |
| 2025 | $132,058 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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