As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an CAE Design Engineer III in the United States is $113,680 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
However, an CAE Design Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI-Powered HR
An CAE Design Engineer III'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 III'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Computer-Aided Engineering Designer I | 0-2 years | $73,348 |
| Computer-Aided Engineering Designer II | 2-4 years | $82,445 |
| CAE Design Engineer III | 4-7 years | $113,677 |
| CAE Design Engineer IV | 7+ years | $131,200 |
| CAE Design Engineer V | 7-10 years | $149,542 |
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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4.05% |
| Civil Engineering | 3.19% |
| Packaging Design | 0.86% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Self Motivation
|
$121,638 |
7%
|
|
Partnering
|
$117,090 |
3%
|
|
Aviation
|
$117,090 |
3%
|
|
Customer Sales
|
$117,090 |
3%
|
|
Problem Solving
|
$115,954 |
2%
|
|
Stewardship
|
$115,954 |
2%
|
CAE Design Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,258. While startup companies pay approximate $107,657.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $107,657 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $113,860 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $122,890 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $127,258 |
For CAE Design Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 170% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 80% above the average. In contrast, CAE Design Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAE Design Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $204,624 | $98.0 | 80% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $193,256 | $93.0 | 70% |
| Financial Services | $181,888 | $87.0 | 60% |
| Biotechnology | $170,520 | $82.0 | 50% |
| Healthcare | $159,152 | $77.0 | 40% |
Understanding how an CAE Design Engineer III'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 August 01, 2026For an CAE Design Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAE Design Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $131,200 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.
Salaries for an CAE Design Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $99,432 in 2023 to around $97,880 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CAE Design Engineer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $99,432 |
| 2024 | $98,952 |
| 2025 | $97,880 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for CAE Design Engineer III and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CAE Design Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for CAE Design Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 80% above the market median.
The highest salary for a CAE Design Engineer is $125,040 per year. The average salary is around $108,460, while the minimum salary starts at $95,440. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, with opportunities for growth based on experience and expertise.
A CAE engineer utilizes computer-aided engineering software to simulate product performance, enhancing designs and solving engineering challenges. Their work involves the simulation, validation, and optimization of products, processes, and manufacturing tools. Salaries for CAE Design Engineers range from $95,440 to $125,040, with a median salary of $108,460.
The salary for a CAE Design Engineer ranges from a minimum of $95,440 to a maximum of $125,040, with a mid-level salary of $108,460. This indicates that top designers in this field can earn competitive salaries, reflecting their expertise and the demand for their skills in various industries.
One of the highest paid design jobs is that of a Design Engineer, with salaries ranging from $95,440 to $125,040, and a median salary of $108,460. This role combines technical skills with creativity, making it a lucrative option in the design field. Other high-paying design roles include UX Designer, Product Designer, and Creative Director.
A career in Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) is promising, especially in India, where it plays a crucial role in sectors like mechanical, civil, production, and automobile engineering. With salaries ranging from $95,440 to $125,040, CAE professionals can expect competitive compensation, making it a rewarding career choice in the evolving engineering landscape.
Engineers typically do not make $300,000 a year. For a CAE Design Engineer, the salary ranges from a minimum of $95,440 to a mid-level of $108,460, with a maximum of $125,040. While competitive salaries and benefits are offered, reaching $300,000 is uncommon in this field.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
