How long does it take to become an IT technician?

It takes as little as 6 months to become an IT technician. While many IT technicians have 4-year degrees and some have associate degrees in computer science or networking, a large majority report being "self-taught." Almost half of IT technicians have gotten to be where they are through certifications and online courses.

How much do CAD technicians make?

CAD technicians make $47,000 a year, on average ($22.63 an hour). CAD technicians just starting can expect to make around $38,000 a year, while a CAD technician scientist with six or more years of experience averages $56,000 a year.

How much do design techs make?

Design techs make $54,000 a year, on average ($26.41 an hour). Design techs just starting can expect to make around $38,000 a year. In contrast, a senior design tech with ten or more years of experience averages $77,000 a year. Other factors such as location and industry can also impact how much a design tech can earn.

How much do techs make a year?

Techs make $44,588 a year, on average. However, there is a lot of variability in how much tech makes depending on the industry or type of tech (e.g., maintenance, IT) and location. The range in a tech's yearly salary, for instance, can range from $28,000 to $70,000 a year. A more senior-level position as a technician can earn you upwards of $60,000 a year.

What qualifications do you need to be a design engineer?

The qualifications needed to be a design engineer are a college degree and practical experience using your craft. Becoming a design engineer requires hard work, and the discipline is competitive, so it is valuable to have relevant experience to showcase your ability.

How To Become A Design Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a design technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

John Irwin EdD

Primarily, design technicians design products. They work as part of an engineering team that designs and executes many different types of projects. Design technicians are responsible for creating designs for electrical or mechanical products or large structures like buildings, highways, and bridges. Asides from that, they consult the project managers and the sales team to implement project scope and transfer information to blueprints. Also, they may prepare presentations and submit proposals. Their duties also include conducting research and analysis, creating cost estimates, designing models, and reviewing reports. Additionally, they must adhere to the company's policies and regulations.

Many employers seek candidates with an associate's degree in an engineering field. Candidates must have three to five years of related work experience. You must possess communication and interpersonal skills and you must be familiar with computer-aided design software. Design technicians earn an average salary of $50,529 annually. This varies between $36,000 and $71,000.

What general advice would you give to a design technician?

John Irwin EdD

Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Michigan Technological University

Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.

ScoreDesign TechnicianUS Average

Salary

4.9

Avg. Salary $62,288

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

6.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.68%

Asian 8.71%

Black or African American 9.40%

Hispanic or Latino 16.57%

Unknown 4.87%

White 59.76%

Gender

female 28.24%

male 71.76%

Age - 46

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 - 46

Stress level

5.6

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

Key steps to become a design technician

Explore design technician education requirements

Most common design technician degrees

Associate

45.6 %

Bachelor's

41.0 %

Master's

4.3 %

Start to develop specific design technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Revit	7.92%
Civil 3D	5.57%
Aided Design	4.82%
Sketch	4.49%
Auto CAD	4.02%

Complete relevant design technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New design technicians 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 design technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real design technician resumes.

Gain additional design technician certifications

Design technician 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 design technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for design technicians include Certified Agile Developer (CAD) and Certified Survey Technician (CST).

More About Certifications

Research design technician duties and responsibilities

Manage the life cycle of the product using PLM from creation to the top of production sample.
Lead team in Revit modeling and documentation including precise replication of intricate detention security hardware.
Job duties include but not limit to assisting professional engineers in designing HVAC and plumbing systems.
Experience in draft beer equipment (jockey box, taps, lines, etc . )

Prepare your design technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your design technician 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 design technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable design technician resume templates

Build a professional design technician 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 design technician resume.

Apply for design technician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a design technician 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

How do design technicians rate their job?

-/5

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Design technician reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Pros

I liked working in oil and gas at Chevron in Pascagoula, MS. I worked there right after finishing college. I drew flow sheets in isometric inserting valves. I'm wanting another pipe draftsman/designer job.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019