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CAE Design Senior Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Design Senior Manager in the United States is $177,702 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $85.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $207,715
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $163,846 to $193,412
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $151,231
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAE Design Senior Manager Salaries

A CAE Design Senior 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.

How Experience Level Affects CAE Design Senior Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAE Design Senior 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 Design Supervisor I (12+ years): $93,200
  • CAE Design Supervisor II (12+ years): $119,288
  • CAE Design Manager (12+ years): $132,514
  • CAE Design Senior Manager (12+ years): $177,702
  • CAE Design Director (12+ years): $219,335
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAE Design Supervisor I12+ years$93,200
CAE Design Supervisor II12+ years$119,288
CAE Design Manager12+ years$132,514
CAE Design Senior Manager12+ years$177,702
CAE Design Director12+ years$219,335
View as Graph

How Do CAE Design Senior Managers 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 Senior Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $196,752.
  • California: $196,005.
  • Massachusetts: $193,393.

Top Paying Cities for CAE Design Senior Manager

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: $224,136
  • San Francisco: $221,681
  • Oakland: $217,010

CAE Design Senior Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CAE Design Senior Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $198,927. While startup companies pay approximate $168,288.

CAE Design Senior Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $168,288
Growth Stage 51~500 $177,984
Established 501~5000 $192,099
Enterprise 5000+ $198,927

CAE Design Senior Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAE Design Senior Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 41% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, CAE Design Senior Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAE Design Senior Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAE Design Senior Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$209,688$101.018%
Insurance$204,357$98.015%
Energy & Utilities$195,472$94.010%
Pharmaceuticals$195,472$94.010%
Software & Networking$195,472$94.010%

How Education impacts an CAE Design Senior Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CAE Design Senior Manager enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an CAE Design Senior Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $172,162 and $184,824.

CAE Design Senior Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CAE Design Senior Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 7.3%
Associates 9.1%
Bachelors 56.7%
Masters 23.2%
Doctorate 1.8%
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CAE Design Senior Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAE Design Senior 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 August 01, 2026
$163,846
Average $177,702/year
$193,412
$13,654
Average $14,809/month
$16,118
$3,151
Average $3,417/week
$3,719
$79
Average $85/hour
$93
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $193,412 $16,118 $3,719 $93
Average $177,702 $14,809 $3,417 $85
25th Percentile $163,846 $13,654 $3,151 $79

CAE Design Senior Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

CAE Design Senior Manager

Next Role

For a CAE Design Senior Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAE Design Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $219,335 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.

Most common benefits for CAE Design Senior Manager

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

Common company salaries for CAE Design Senior Manager

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

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FAQ about CAE Design Senior Manager

1. Where can a CAE Design Senior Manager earn the most?

A CAE Design Senior 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 Senior Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a CAE Design Senior Manager is $224,136.

2. What is the highest pay for CAE Design Senior Manager?

The highest pay for CAE Design Senior Manager is $207,715.

3. What is the lowest pay for CAE Design Senior Manager?

The lowest pay for CAE Design Senior Manager is $151,231.

4. What are the responsibilities of CAE Design Senior Manager?

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. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for CAE Design Senior Manager?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for CAE Design Senior Manager roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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