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CAE Design Engineering Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a CAE Design Engineering Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Design Engineering Manager in the United States is $132,533 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $154,446
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,133 to $144,003
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $108,843
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAE Design Engineering Manager Salaries

A CAE Design Engineering Manager'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 Engineering Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAE Design Engineering Manager'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 Services Supervisor I (12+ years): $93,200
  • CAE Services Supervisor II (12+ years): $119,294
  • CAE Design Engineering Manager (12+ years): $132,518
  • Computer-Aided Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $177,727
  • CAE Design Engineering Director (12+ years): $219,359
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAE Services Supervisor I12+ years$93,200
CAE Services Supervisor II12+ years$119,294
CAE Design Engineering Manager12+ years$132,518
Computer-Aided Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$177,727
CAE Design Engineering Director12+ years$219,359
View as Graph

How Do CAE Design Engineering Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $146,743.
  • California: $146,183.
  • Massachusetts: $144,233.

Top Paying Cities for CAE Design Engineering Managers

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: $167,163
  • San Francisco: $165,333
  • Oakland: $161,853

What Skills Can Increase a CAE Design Engineering Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Written Communication (Mentioned in 11.11% Job Postings): Communicating information through written media to educate, inform and influence the target audience.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 2.88% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer
  • Construction Management (Mentioned in 0.82% Job Postings): Construction management (CM) is a professional service that uses specialized, project management techniques to oversee the planning, design, and construction of a project, from its beginning to its end. The purpose of CM is to control a project's time / delivery, cost and quality—sometimes referred to as a project management triangle or "triple constraints." CM is compatible with all project delivery systems, including design-bid-build, design-build, CM At-Risk and Public Private Partnerships. Professional construction managers may be reserved for lengthy, large-scale, high budget undertakings (commercial real estate, transportation infrastructure, industrial facilities, and military infrastructure), called capital projects.
Skills Demand Percentage
Written Communication 11.11%
CAD 2.88%
Construction Management 0.82%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a CAE Design Engineering Manager's salary.

  • Interviewing: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • 3D Rendering: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • 3D Scanning: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Interviewing $147,112
11%
3D Rendering $145,786
10%
3D Scanning $143,136
8%
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CAE Design Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CAE Design Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $148,111. While startup companies pay approximate $125,287.

CAE Design Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $125,287
Growth Stage 51~500 $132,503
Established 501~5000 $143,020
Enterprise 5000+ $148,111

CAE Design Engineering Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAE Design Engineering Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, CAE Design Engineering Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAE Design Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAE Design Engineering Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$165,666$80.025%
Financial Services$159,040$76.020%
Aerospace & Defense$152,413$73.015%
Healthcare$152,413$73.015%
Biotechnology$145,786$70.010%

CAE Design Engineering Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAE Design Engineering Manager'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 September 01, 2026
$120,133
Average $132,533/year
$144,003
$10,011
Average $11,044/month
$12,000
$2,310
Average $2,549/week
$2,769
$58
Average $64/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $144,003 $12,000 $2,769 $69
Average $132,533 $11,044 $2,549 $64
25th Percentile $120,133 $10,011 $2,310 $58

CAE Design Engineering Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

CAE Design Engineering Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For a CAE Design Engineering Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Computer-Aided Engineering Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $177,800 - a projected growth of 34% over your current level.

Most common benefits for CAE Design Engineering Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for CAE Design Engineering Manager

Here are companies hiring for CAE Design Engineering Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about CAE Design Engineering Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CAE Design Engineering Manager?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for CAE Design Engineering Manager roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineering role in the USA is the CAE Design Engineering Manager, with a salary range from $123,683 to $161,403. The average salary for this position is approximately $142,163. This places it among the top-paying engineering roles, surpassing many other engineering disciplines.

3. How much do CAE engineers make in the US?

The estimated total pay for a CAE Design Engineering Manager in the US ranges from $123,683 to $161,403 per year, with a mid-salary of $142,163. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data and represent the midpoint of the salary spectrum for this role.

4. Is a CAE a good career?

A career in CAE engineering is promising, with competitive salaries ranging from $123,683 to $161,403, depending on experience and expertise. The field not only offers substantial earning potential but also significant opportunities for career advancement, making it an attractive choice for skilled professionals.

5. What does a level 8 at GM make?

The salary for a CAE Design Engineering Manager ranges from $123,683 to $161,403, with a midpoint of $142,163. This is significantly higher than the estimated average salary for a Level 8 at General Motors, which is around $72,140 per year. Therefore, the CAE Design Engineering Manager position offers a more competitive salary compared to a Level 8 at GM.

6. What does a CAE engineer do?

A CAE engineer utilizes computer-aided engineering software to simulate and analyze the performance of products, enhancing design and solving engineering challenges. Their work involves simulation, validation, and optimization of products and manufacturing processes. In terms of compensation, CAE Design Engineering Managers earn between $123,683 and $161,403, with a median salary of $142,163.

7. What is the highest paying engineering manager's salary?

The salary for a CAE Design Engineering Manager ranges from a minimum of $123,683 to a maximum of $161,403, with a midpoint of $142,163. While other engineering management roles may offer higher salaries, the CAE Design Engineering Manager position provides a competitive compensation package within this range.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

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