As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Design Engineering Director in the United States is $219,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $105.
However, a CAE Design Engineering Director'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
AI-Powered HR
AI-Powered Talent
A CAE Design Engineering 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a CAE Design Engineering 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CAE Services Supervisor I | 12+ years | $93,199 |
| CAE Services Supervisor II | 12+ years | $119,281 |
| Computer-Aided Engineering Manager | 12+ years | $132,510 |
| Computer-Aided Engineering Senior Manager | 12+ years | $177,677 |
| CAE Design Engineering Director | 12+ years | $219,311 |
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 Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
CAE Design Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $245,397. While startup companies pay approximate $207,533.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $207,533 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $219,498 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $236,978 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $245,397 |
For CAE Design Engineering 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 Engineering Director positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAE Design Engineering Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $263,280 | $127.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $263,280 | $127.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $263,280 | $127.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $263,280 | $127.0 | 20% |
| Construction | $263,280 | $127.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a CAE Design Engineering 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 July 01, 2026
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 Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CAE Design Engineering Director 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 Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for CAE Design Engineering Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
The highest salary for a CAE Design Engineering Director in the USA ranges from $190,200 to $244,200, with a median salary of $217,200. This positions it among the top engineering roles, surpassing many other engineering disciplines, highlighting the lucrative opportunities in this specialized field.
The average bonus for a Design Engineering Director is approximately $10,860, representing about 5% of their salary. With a salary range of $190,200 to $244,200, this bonus reflects the typical compensation structure. Directors in high-demand areas like San Jose may see even higher total compensation.
In essence, although both positions are vital for the creative process, the Design Engineering Director focuses on the execution and quality of design work, earning a salary ranging from $190,200 to $244,200, with a midpoint of $217,200. In contrast, the Creative Director emphasizes the larger vision and strategic direction.
A Director of Engineering at Google in the United States can expect a salary ranging from $190,200 to $244,200, with a midpoint of $217,200. This reflects the competitive compensation for such roles, aligning with industry standards for experienced professionals in engineering leadership positions.
The salary for a CAE Design Engineering Director in the US ranges from a minimum of $190,200 to a maximum of $244,200, with a mid-level salary of $217,200. This reflects a competitive compensation structure within the engineering field, highlighting the value of experience and expertise in design engineering roles.
The salary range for a CAE Design Engineering Director is between $190,200 and $244,200, with a midpoint of $217,200. This reflects the competitive compensation in the engineering field, aligning with industry standards for similar roles.
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:
