How to hire an autocad designer

How to hire an autocad designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step autocad designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an autocad designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new autocad designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an autocad designer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an autocad designer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An autocad designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, autocad designers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents autocad designer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Autocad Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Autocad Designer	Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.	$19-36
   Architectural Internship	The job of architectural interns is to assist an architect with all aspects of architectural work. Their duties and responsibilities may include maintaining project files, conducting research on construction sites such as zoning laws and regulations, and preparing presentations for clients... Show more	$19-33
   Drafter	The duties of a drafter vary on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a drafter specializes in creating a three-dimensional model for software and other applications upon gathering details and specifications from designers and other personnel... Show more	$15-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Auto CAD
   • Revit
   • Civil Engineering
   • HVAC
   • Construction Drawings
   • Elevations
   • GIS
   • Design Drawings
   • Drawing Packages
   • MEP
   • Solidworks
   • Shop Drawings
   • Engineering Design
   • Sketch

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Establish and manage firm's account on NYC DOB website; fulfill office duties and manage office.
   • Revise HVAC, piping, fire protection and electrical drawings for package.
   • Perform site visits and create accurate AutoCAD and Revit plans reflecting existing conditions.
   • Create mechanical, electrical, HVAC, civil and 3D drawings using AutoCAD.
   • Perform at the highest professional level with great attention to detail, gain extensive knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit.
   • Accompany engineers in PSSRs as well as field sketch changes to be implement in Cadworx models and change accordingly.

   More autocad designer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your autocad designer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An autocad designer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, autocad designers' average salary in alabama is 35% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level autocad designers 47% less than senior-level autocad designers.
   • Certifications. An autocad designer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an autocad designer's salary.

   Average autocad designer salary

   $55,786yearly

   $26.82 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level autocad designer salary

   $40,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average autocad designer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$63,172	$30
   2	Illinois	$60,528	$29
   3	California	$57,797	$28
   4	Indiana	$55,115	$27
   5	Tennessee	$53,325	$26
   6	South Carolina	$52,934	$25
   7	Virginia	$52,630	$25
   8	South Dakota	$52,596	$25
   9	North Carolina	$52,584	$25
   10	Missouri	$52,161	$25
   11	Oklahoma	$51,947	$25
   12	Wisconsin	$51,377	$25
   13	Ohio	$51,329	$25
   14	Texas	$49,522	$24
   15	Florida	$49,239	$24
   16	Iowa	$48,564	$23
   17	Georgia	$48,501	$23
   18	Nebraska	$47,794	$23
   19	Michigan	$47,281	$23

   Average autocad designer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Jacobs Engineering Group	$62,626	$30.11
   2	Parsons	$60,178	$28.93	59
   3	Fishbeck	$59,041	$28.39
   4	Stantec	$58,525	$28.14	262
   5	Arseal	$57,368	$27.58	2
   6	CyberCoders	$56,761	$27.29	1
   7	Cree	$56,678	$27.25
   8	Colliers Engineering & Design	$56,590	$27.21
   9	KBR	$56,292	$27.06	10
   10	Jacobs Enterprises	$56,204	$27.02	341
   11	Chart Industries	$56,045	$26.94
   12	Kelly Services	$56,027	$26.94	1
   13	Circle K	$55,972	$26.91	2
   14	Randstad North America, Inc.	$54,998	$26.44	1
   15	St. Clair County Community Mental Health	$53,752	$25.84	1
   16	R.M. Schulte & Associates	$52,091	$25.04
   17	Chuck E. Cheese	$43,823	$21.07

4. Writing an autocad designer job description

   An autocad designer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an autocad designer job description:

   Autocad designer job description example

   KFW Engineers + Surveying, an affiliate of Colliers Engineering & Design, is seeking a Civil AutoCAD Designer to join our team in Austin, Dallas, Corpus Christi and Bryan, Texas!
   
   In this role you will generate design documents working from sketches and/or marked-up drawings provided by Project Managers or Project Engineers.
   Responsibilities • Perform technical work requiring the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment
   • Ability to interpret engineer's notes and sketches for incorporation into design documents is necessary
   • Develop neat, well-organized drawings meeting established standards
   • Manage time and effort towards completing designs on time
   • Utilize effective time management skills, personal conduct, and change management abilities
   • Effectively interact with co-workers, clients, vendors, and other business contacts
   • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing Qualifications • Must have a technical degree in Design or Engineering or substantial equivalent advanced knowledge obtained through a combination of work experience and intellectual instruction and have the ability to perform the same work as a degreed employee in this role • Knowledge of drafting skills and methods
   • Computer skills and an in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office based programs • Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on experience • Proficiency in AutoCAD
   • Civil 3D experience required
   • Must possess a valid Texas Motor Vehicle Operator's License if operating a motor vehicle for the purpose of completing job duties What We Offer At KFW we work hard but we always take time to enjoy our teams and have fun together because our people are our most important resource. We are committed to providing all our employees with a safe, comfortable work environment, potential for career advancement, and the ability to impact society through their projects as well as Company sponsored activities.
   This dedication begins with supporting a work life balance through a generous compensation package that includes: company paid healthcare coverage; short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; 401(k)/Roth retirement plan with employer contribution; paid time off plus paid holidays; employee referral bonus program and an overtime/straight time policy.
   We have also created an internal culture that provides the resources and technology needed to encourage personal and professional growth opportunities through reimbursement for education; a free in-house resource for hundreds of educational and self-enrichment courses; mentorship program; and ongoing philanthropic opportunities.
   Apply today to learn how you can join our team of professionals, so we can help you Accelerate Your Success!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right autocad designer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with autocad designers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit autocad designers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   To find autocad designer candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with autocad designer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new autocad designer

   Once you've found the autocad designer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new autocad designer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an autocad designer?