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CAD Modeler Salary in the United States

How much does a CAD Modeler make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAD Modeler in the United States is $106,184 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

However, a CAD Modeler's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $119,689
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,371 to $113,253
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,348
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAD Modeler Salaries

A CAD Modeler'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 Modeler Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAD Modeler'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): $102,673
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $102,945
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $106,184
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $109,094
  • Expert (over 8 years): $109,302
Levels Salary
Entry Level CAD Modeler$102,673
Intermediate Level CAD Modeler$102,945
Senior Level CAD Modeler$106,184
Specialist Level CAD Modeler$109,094
Expert Level CAD Modeler$109,302
View as Graph

How Do CAD Modeler 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 CAD Modelers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $117,567.
  • California: $117,121.
  • Massachusetts: $115,560.

Top Paying Cities for CAD Modelers

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: $133,930
  • San Francisco: $132,463
  • Oakland: $129,672

What Skills Can Increase a CAD Modeler's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 9.69% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • ERwin (Mentioned in 2.56% Job Postings): CA ERwin Data Modeler (or ERwin for short) is a data modeling and database design tool that is used to create conceptual, logical, and physical data models.
  • Oracle (Mentioned in 1.83% Job Postings): Applying Oracle to manage data and information applications effectively.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 9.69%
ERwin 2.56%
Oracle 1.83%
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 CAD Modeler's salary.

  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Data Structure: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Networking $118,926
12%
Data Structure $113,617
7%
Agile $111,493
5%
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CAD Modeler Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAD Modeler roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, CAD Modeler positions in Media or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAD Modeler as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAD Modeler

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$143,348$69.035%
Construction$127,421$61.020%
Energy & Utilities$122,112$59.015%
Pharmaceuticals$122,112$59.015%
Aerospace & Defense$116,802$56.010%

CAD Modeler Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAD Modeler'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
$97,371
Average $106,184/year
$113,253
$8,114
Average $8,849/month
$9,438
$1,873
Average $2,042/week
$2,178
$47
Average $51/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $113,253 $9,438 $2,178 $54
Average $106,184 $8,849 $2,042 $51
25th Percentile $97,371 $8,114 $1,873 $47

Most common benefits for CAD Modeler

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

Common company salaries for CAD Modeler

Here are companies hiring for CAD Modeler and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about CAD Modeler

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CAD Modeler?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for CAD Modeler roles, with salaries approximately 35% 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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