Cad Design Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cad Design Engineer in the United States is $74,507 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,015
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,527 to $80,531
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,082
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View as table View as graph 25% $68,527 10% $63,082 90% $86,015 75% $80,531 $74,507 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Cad Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $80,531 $6,711 $1,549 $39
Average $74,507 $6,209 $1,433 $36
25th Percentile $68,527 $5,711 $1,318 $33
Check out Cad Design Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Design Engineer

ISAT Total Support - Columbus, OH

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Goken - Columbus, OH

Design Engineer

White Glove Placement, Inc. - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Cad Design Engineer Salaries

A Cad Design Engineer'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 Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cad Design Engineer'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $73,926
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $75,599
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $77,823
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $78,113
  • Expert (over 8 years): $78,307
Levels Salary
Entry Level Cad Design Engineer$73,926
Intermediate Level Cad Design Engineer$75,599
Senior Level Cad Design Engineer$77,823
Specialist Level Cad Design Engineer$78,113
Expert Level Cad Design Engineer$78,307
$73,926 0 yr
$75,599 < 2 yrs
$77,823 2-4 yrs
$78,113 5-8 yrs
$78,307 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Cad Design Engineers

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: $93,976
  • San Francisco: $92,947
  • Oakland: $90,988

Cad Design Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cad Design Engineer 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 Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Cad Design Engineer positions in Software & Networking or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cad Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cad Design Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$96,859$47.030%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$81,958$39.010%

Cad Design Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cad Design Engineer'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

Salary Trends for Cad Design Engineer

Salaries for a Cad Design Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $85,892 in 2023 to around $86,679 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cad Design Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Cad Design Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$85,892
2024
$86,851
2025
$86,679
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $85,892
2024 $86,851
2025 $86,679
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Cad Design Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Cad Design Engineer

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

Find Your Next Cad Design Engineer Job

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

United States
  • Sterling Engineering

    Columbus, OH

    Sterling Engineering | Columbus, OH

    Mechanical Design Engineer – Robotics & Automation. 📍. Columbus, OH | 100% Onsite. 💰. $90K–$115K+ | Direct Hire. 🚀. Build the Hardware Behind the Future... more

    6 Days Ago

  • The Misch Group

    Columbus, OH

    The Misch Group | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. We are seeking a full-time electrical engineer or electrical designer with at least 3 years of experience to... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Goken

    Columbus, OH

    Goken | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio (USA) with Engineering Centers in Pune, India and Yokohama, Japan, Goken is a global Engine... more

    8 Days Ago

  • MJ Engineering

    Columbus, OH

    MJ Engineering | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Electrical Design/Controls Engineer – Experienced. Gahanna, OH 43230. MJ Engineering & Consulting, Inc. is a full-service... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Inner Circle Agency Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Inner Circle Agency Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Switchgear Design Engineer (UL891). Job Location. Charleston, SC / North Charleston, SC. In-Office, Hybrid or ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital

    Columbus, OH

    RN

    Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Travel Rn Stepdown (Pcu) Shift. Night shift - 12 hours. Start date: 09/21/2026. End date: 12/21/2026. Duration: 13 weeks. City: Columbus. State: OH more

    17 Days Ago

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FAQ about Cad Design Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Cad Design Engineer?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Cad Design Engineer 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.)

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