As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Design Engineering Manager in the United States is $132,513 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:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
AI-Powered Talent
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CAE Services Supervisor I | 12+ years | $93,197 |
| CAE Services Supervisor II | 12+ years | $119,262 |
| CAE Design Engineering Manager | 12+ years | $132,499 |
| Computer-Aided Engineering Senior Manager | 12+ years | $177,603 |
| CAE Design Engineering Director | 12+ years | $219,238 |
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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Written Communication | 11.11% |
| CAD | 2.88% |
| Construction Management | 0.82% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Interviewing
|
$147,089 |
11%
|
|
3D Rendering
|
$145,764 |
10%
|
|
3D Scanning
|
$143,114 |
8%
|
|
Coaching
|
$143,114 |
8%
|
|
Leadership
|
$137,814 |
4%
|
|
Project Design
|
$136,488 |
3%
|
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 April 01, 2026For 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 $177,700 - a projected growth of 34% over your current level.
Salaries for a CAE Design Engineering Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $129,304 in 2023 to around $128,561 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CAE Design Engineering Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $129,304 |
| 2024 | $129,552 |
| 2025 | $128,561 |
| 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 Engineering Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CAE Design Engineering Manager 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
