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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Cad Designer in California is $81,011 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Mechanical Cad Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Mechanical Cad Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $91,378 | $7,615 | $1,757 | $44 |
| Average | $81,011 | $6,751 | $1,558 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,394 | $6,283 | $1,450 | $36 |
Walt Disney Imagineering - Holiday, CA
Walt Disney Imagineering - Anaheim, CA
A-PLUS CONTRACTING INC - Anaheim, CA
POWERCON ENGINEERING, INC. - Tustin, CA
A Mechanical Cad Designer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Cad Designer'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 |
|---|---|
| CAD Draft... Level Mechanical Cad Designer | $71,497 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Cad Designer | $81,402 |
| CAD Draft... Level Mechanical Cad Designer | $98,559 |
| CAD Draft... Level Mechanical Cad Designer | $127,371 |
| CAD Draft... Level Mechanical Cad Designer | $149,236 |
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 Mechanical Cad Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Mechanical Cad Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Cad Designer positions in Media or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Cad Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $109,365 | $53.0 | 35% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $105,315 | $51.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $101,264 | $49.0 | 25% |
| Construction | $97,214 | $47.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $97,214 | $47.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Mechanical Cad Designer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $91,378 | $7,615 | $1,757 | $44 |
| Average | $81,011 | $6,751 | $1,558 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,394 | $6,283 | $1,450 | $36 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mechanical Cad Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Bay Systems Consulting Inc.
Berkeley, CA
Bay Systems Consulting Inc. | Berkeley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Electrical CAD Designer. Hourly Rate: $73.00 per hour plus benefits (medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k). Location. Berke... more
7 Days Ago
Flexton Inc.
Berkeley, CA
Flexton Inc. | Berkeley, CA
Required Qualifications. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Drafting/Design, or related technical discipline, or equiva... more
8 Days Ago
CE2 Corporation
Berkeley, CA
CE2 Corporation | Berkeley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. FT Contractor. Berkeley, CA -onsite. Pay Rate: $73 per hour. Target start 8/17/26 – 1 year contract. Develop... more
8 Days Ago
Essnova Solutions, Inc.
Berkeley, CA
Essnova Solutions, Inc. | Berkeley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Project. Advanced Light Source Upgrade (ALS-U). Anticipated Duration. One year, with the possibility of a one-year extens... more
8 Days Ago
BEC
Glendora, CA
BEC | Glendora, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Come Join Building Electronic Controls Design Team. Are you a passionate. Fire Alarm CAD Designer. looking for an opportu... more
8 Days Ago
LTD GLOBAL, LLC
Berkeley, CA
LTD GLOBAL, LLC | Berkeley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. We're seeking an experienced Electrical CAD Designer to support a major upgrade project at a large-scale ... more
9 Days Ago
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