CAD Salary Data for Hiring Managers
Use Tier2Tek’s CAD salary guide to compare national wage figures and plan your hiring budget. Start with the drafting specialty closest to your opening, then consider the location, software skills, and project experience you need.
Reviewed: October 2026
Wage data: May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
National CAD & Drafting Salary Benchmarks
The table shows national median annual wages. The median is the middle figure: half of workers earned more and half earned less.
These figures include workers at different experience levels. They are not entry-level salaries or recommended starting offers.
| BLS Occupation | National Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Drafters, all specialties combined | $68,090 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $66,150 |
| Mechanical Drafters | $71,550 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $76,870 |
| Drafters, All Other | $63,520 |
Source: BLS Drafters Occupational Profile, May 2025.
Match the Benchmark to Your CAD Position
Job titles and software names do not tell the whole story. Compare the actual work before choosing a benchmark.
- Civil and architectural drafting: Review the architectural and civil category for positions focused on related drawings and documentation.
- Mechanical drafting: Review the mechanical category for work involving mechanical parts, assemblies, and drawings.
- Electrical drafting: Review the electrical and electronics category for related diagrams, layouts, and documentation.
- Survey CAD and plat drafting: Review the drawing responsibilities carefully. A drafting-focused position may differ from one centered on field surveying or mapping.
- BIM, Revit, and CAD leadership: The table does not provide separate figures for BIM coordinators, Revit specialists, CAD managers, or BIM managers. Review their coordination, technical, and management duties before making a comparison.
An AutoCAD or Revit requirement alone does not establish a salary. The role’s responsibilities and required level of independence matter too.
What to Consider When Setting CAD Pay
Build your hiring budget around the work the person will do.
- Location: Compare wages in the area where you are hiring.
- Software experience: Specify the tools and workflows needed, such as Civil 3D, Revit, or SolidWorks.
- Project background: Consider experience with your drawing types, design standards, and industry.
- Responsibility: Distinguish between following markups, producing drawings independently, reviewing work, and leading a team.
- Experience and training: Decide what the person must know on day one and what your team can teach.
- The full offer: Consider benefits, schedule, work arrangement, and development opportunities.
How to Build a Pay Range
- Define the position. List the main tasks, required software, and project experience.
- Choose the closest comparison. Match duties to the BLS occupation rather than relying only on the job title.
- Check local wages. Use state or metropolitan data when available.
- Review similar openings. Compare roles with similar duties, locations, and experience requirements.
- Set your range. Account for differences in experience and the responsibilities your new hire will handle.
Avoid treating the national median as a required minimum, maximum, or exact offer.
Sources & How to Read This Guide
The figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and describe national wages for May 2025. They are not Tier2Tek placement averages or forecasts of 2026 salaries.
The combined drafter figure includes the specialties listed below it. The rows should not be added together or treated as separate experience levels.
We have not created software-specific salaries or added inflation adjustments. BLS wages are not total compensation and exclude employer benefit costs and certain payments, including overtime and nonproduction bonuses.
- BLS Drafting Occupations and Wages
- BLS National, State and Metropolitan Wage Tables
- BLS Wage Definitions and Methodology
Need Help Hiring CAD Professionals?
Tier2Tek Staffing helps employers hire permanent CAD designers, drafters, and BIM professionals nationwide. Tell us about your position, required software, location, and planned pay range so we can discuss your recruiting needs.
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