As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an CAE Design Engineer I in the United States is $73,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, an CAE Design Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An CAE Design Engineer I'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an CAE Design Engineer I'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CAE Design Engineer I | 0-2 years | $73,356 |
| Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II | 2-4 years | $82,452 |
| Computer-Aided Engineering Designer III | 4-7 years | $113,659 |
| CAE Design Engineer IV | 7+ years | $131,191 |
| CAE Design Engineer V | 7-10 years | $149,531 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract CAE Design Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Presentation | 5.41% |
| Packaging | 2.03% |
| Building Codes | 1.24% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Solution Design
|
$83,665 |
14%
|
|
Civil Engineering
|
$79,261 |
8%
|
|
3D Modeling
|
$78,527 |
7%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$77,793 |
6%
|
|
Packaging
|
$77,060 |
5%
|
|
Project Design
|
$76,326 |
4%
|
Understanding how an CAE Design Engineer I'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 May 01, 2026For an CAE Design Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $82,490 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.
Salaries for an CAE Design Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $65,220 in 2023 to around $65,061 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CAE Design Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $65,220 |
| 2024 | $65,305 |
| 2025 | $65,061 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Engineering jobs that pay around $200k typically include specialized roles such as Lead Engineer, Senior Software Engineer, and Data Engineer. However, for a CAE Design Engineer, salaries range from approximately $68,590 to $86,690, with a mid-salary of $77,490, indicating that reaching the $200k mark may require advanced experience or additional skills.
As of January 2025, the salary for CAE Design Engineers in California ranges from a minimum of $68,590 to a maximum of $86,690, with a mid-salary of $77,490. This indicates that the majority of salaries fall within this range, reflecting the competitive nature of the industry.
As of now, the salary for a CAE Design Engineer in the United States ranges from $68,590 to $86,690 annually, with a median salary of $77,490. This translates to approximately $32.96 to $41.66 per hour, or $1,320 to $1,670 per week.
An IC Design Engineer in the US typically earns between $68,590 and $86,690 annually, with a median salary around $77,490. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field.
The richest type of engineer varies by specialization, but among the highest-paying are Petroleum Engineers with a median annual salary of $137,322, followed by Aerospace Engineers at $118,602. In comparison, CAE Design Engineers earn between $68,590 and $86,690, with a mid-salary of $77,490, making them less lucrative than the top-tier engineering fields.
The highest salary for a CAE Design Engineer is approximately $86,690 per year. The average starting salary is around $68,590, while the mid-level salary is about $77,490. Typically, a minimum of one year of experience is required to enter this role.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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