Are CAD designers in demand?

Yes, CAD designers are in demand. The demand for drafting jobs is expected to grow through the next decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth rate is about 7% for computer-aided design (CAD), similar to the average for all other occupations. Computer-aided design is a fast-growing segment of the job market. Nearly every industry uses CAD in some way to grow and develop its business.

How long does it take to become a CAD designer?

It takes around four years to become a CAD designer. This can vary depending on whether a person enrolls in an associate's degree program and gains work experience as a CAD drafter to move into the role or if they choose a bachelor's degree program and move directly into the role of CAD designer.

What is meant by CAD designer?

What is meant by CAD designer is that someone uses computer-aided design software to convert the designs created by engineers and architects into technical drawings. These technical drawings are then used to build structures and manufacture products.

What qualifications do you need to be a CAD designer?

The qualifications needed to be a CAD designer generally include a two-year associate's degree and some experience as a CAD drafter. CAD designers also need to have a wide range of knowledge of CAD systems and software to effectively and efficiently create the necessary designs.

How To Become A Computer Aided Design Designer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a computer aided design designer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

A computer aided design designer creates digital models and designs using computer software. They use knowledge of engineering, mathematics, and materials to produce designs. Their work involves collaborating with engineers, architects, and design professionals. Computer aided design designers must have attention to detail and work to visualize 3D objects. They also need problem-solving skills and the ability to work with relevant software. They contribute to the success of industries including manufacturing, construction, and product design.

ScoreComputer Aided Design DesignerUS Average

Salary

4.7

Avg. Salary $60,150

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.3

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.16%

Asian 5.73%

Black or African American 3.03%

Hispanic or Latino 13.06%

Unknown 4.14%

White 73.89%

Gender

female 20.43%

male 79.57%

Age - 45

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45

Stress level

5.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.2

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.7

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a computer aided design designer?

Pros

Chance to develop technical skills in CAD software
High demand for CAD designers in many industries
Possibility of remote work or freelance opportunities
Competitive salary and benefits packages
Opportunity for career advancement and growth

Cons

Can be mentally taxing due to the need for precision and attention to detail
Can require long hours and tight deadlines, leading to stress and burnout
Can be repetitive work, particularly when working on large-scale projects
May require extensive overtime during peak periods or project deadlines
Can be difficult to stay motivated when working on less interesting projects.

Key steps to become a computer aided design designer

Explore computer aided design designer education requirements

Most common computer aided design designer degrees

Associate

45.0 %

Bachelor's

40.5 %

High School Diploma

4.5 %

Start to develop specific computer aided design designer skills

Skills	Percentages
Auto CAD	8.21%
Revit	7.89%
Aided Design	6.59%
Construction Drawings	4.10%
Engineering Drawings	3.90%

Complete relevant computer aided design designer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New computer aided design designers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a computer aided design designer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real computer aided design designer resumes.

Gain additional computer aided design designer certifications

Computer aided design designer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific computer aided design designer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for computer aided design designers include Certified Agile Developer (CAD) and Engineer In Training Certification (EIT).

More About Certifications

Research computer aided design designer duties and responsibilities

Manage the ECN process by assigning the highest priority requests through coordination between engineering staff and drafting personnel.
Manage and supervise other draftsmen.
Develop a product design to solve the problem of height adjustment of a chair using PTC CreO Direct/Elements & parametric.
Used primiarly pro-e with some autocad.

Prepare your computer aided design designer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your computer aided design designer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a computer aided design designer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable computer aided design designer resume templates

Build a professional computer aided design designer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your computer aided design designer resume.

Apply for computer aided design designer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a computer aided design designer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average computer aided design designer salary

The average computer aided design designer salary in the United States is $60,150 per year or $29 per hour. Computer aided design designer salaries range between $40,000 and $89,000 per year.

Average computer aided design designer salary

$60,150 Yearly

$28.92 hourly

How do computer aided design designers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Computer aided design designer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2023

Pros

It can gurantee you a good salary and if you are creative you can do many things.

Cons

you have to be creative.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019

Pros

comfortable environment

Cons

stressful work. negative response is related in anyway to the job you'll be doing. So if the job is boring and a lot of repetitive tasks are involved and you say you don't like to do something daily they might weed you out. My answer would be, I really can't think of something I dislike doing every single day. Just because they ask the question doesn't mean you have to have a negative answer!

What is a computer aided design designer and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a computer aided design designer?

Computer aided design designer career paths

Key steps to become a computer aided design designer

Explore computer aided design designer education requirements

Most common computer aided design designer degrees

Start to develop specific computer aided design designer skills

Complete relevant computer aided design designer training and internships

Gain additional computer aided design designer certifications

Research computer aided design designer duties and responsibilities

Prepare your computer aided design designer resume

Choose from 10+ customizable computer aided design designer resume templates

Apply for computer aided design designer jobs

How did you land your first computer aided design designer job

Average computer aided design designer salary

How do computer aided design designers rate their job?

Computer aided design designer reviews

Computer aided design designer FAQs

Are CAD designers in demand?

How long does it take to become a CAD designer?

What is meant by CAD designer?

What qualifications do you need to be a CAD designer?

Search for computer aided design designer jobs

Computer aided design designer jobs by state