As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Design Manager in the United States is $132,496 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.
However, a CAE Design Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A CAE Design 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a CAE Design 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 Design Supervisor I | 12+ years | $93,196 |
| CAE Design Supervisor II | 12+ years | $119,256 |
| CAE Design Manager | 12+ years | $132,496 |
| CAE Design Senior Manager | 12+ years | $177,581 |
| CAE Design Director | 12+ years | $219,217 |
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 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
|
$147,071 |
11%
|
|
3D Rendering
|
$145,746 |
10%
|
|
3D Scanning
|
$143,096 |
8%
|
|
Coaching
|
$143,096 |
8%
|
|
Leadership
|
$137,796 |
4%
|
|
Project Design
|
$136,471 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CAE Design Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a CAE Design Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $133,664 and $143,905).
CAE Design Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 10.3% |
| Associates | 14.7% |
| Bachelors | 51.6% |
| Masters | 19.4% |
| Doctorate | 3.6% |
Understanding how a CAE Design 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 March 01, 2026For a CAE Design Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAE Design Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $177,581 - a projected growth of 34% over your current level.
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for CAE Design Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.
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A CAE Design Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a CAE Design Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a CAE Design Manager is $167,117.
The highest pay for CAE Design Manager is $154,655.
The lowest pay for CAE Design Manager is $108,996.
Manages the computer-aided engineering (CAE) function to support and optimize the design engineering process for complex products, components, or structures. Collaborates with engineering teams to provide CAE design, analysis, and modeling support. Reviews and evaluates layouts and drawings to ensure clarity, completeness, and adherence to design standards and protocols. Researches and recommends CAE tools to facilitate benchmarking, concept design, prototype development, simulation, and testing protocols. Evaluates project results and metrics to develop and implement improvements to design engineering capabilities. Assists with high-level product, component, or structure design planning and scheduling. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
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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