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CAE Design Director Salary in San Diego, CA

How much does a CAE Design Director make in San Diego, CA?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Design Director in San Diego, CA is $236,736 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $114.

However, a CAE Design Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $273,570
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $216,198 to $256,016
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $197,498
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAE Design Director Salaries

A CAE Design Director'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 CAE Design Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAE Design Director'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:

  • CAE Design Supervisor I (12+ years): $100,573
  • CAE Design Supervisor II (12+ years): $128,738
  • CAE Design Manager (12+ years): $143,003
  • CAE Design Senior Manager (12+ years): $191,811
  • CAE Design Director (12+ years): $236,736
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAE Design Supervisor I12+ years$100,573
CAE Design Supervisor II12+ years$128,738
CAE Design Manager12+ years$143,003
CAE Design Senior Manager12+ years$191,811
CAE Design Director12+ years$236,736
View as Graph

Top Paying Cities for CAE Design Directors

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: $276,708
  • San Francisco: $273,678
  • Oakland: $267,911

CAE Design Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CAE Design Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $264,291. While startup companies pay approximate $223,788.

CAE Design Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $223,788
Growth Stage 51~500 $236,627
Established 501~5000 $255,194
Enterprise 5000+ $264,291

CAE Design Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAE Design Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, CAE Design Director positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAE Design Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAE Design Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$263,260$127.020%
Biotechnology$263,260$127.020%
Business Services$263,260$127.020%
Chemicals$263,260$127.020%
Construction$263,260$127.020%

CAE Design Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAE Design Director'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 October 01, 2026
$216,198
Average $236,736/year
$256,016
$18,016
Average $19,728/month
$21,335
$4,158
Average $4,553/week
$4,923
$104
Average $114/hour
$123
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $256,016 $21,335 $4,923 $123
Average $236,736 $19,728 $4,553 $114
25th Percentile $216,198 $18,016 $4,158 $104

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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