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CAE Design Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a CAE Design Technician I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Design Technician I in the United States is $62,026 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,588
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,395 to $68,078
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,179
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAE Design Technician I Salaries

A CAE Design Technician I'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 Technician I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAE Design Technician I'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 Technician I (1-3 years): $62,026
  • CAE Design Technician II (3-5 years): $72,756
  • CAE Design Technician III (5-7 years): $82,513
  • CAE Design Supervisor I (7+ years): $93,200
  • CAE Design Supervisor II (7+ years): $119,288
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAE Design Technician I1-3 years$62,026
CAE Design Technician II3-5 years$72,756
CAE Design Technician III5-7 years$82,513
CAE Design Supervisor I7+ years$93,200
CAE Design Supervisor II7+ years$119,288
View as Graph

How Do CAE Design Technician Is 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 Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $68,675.
  • California: $68,415.
  • Massachusetts: $67,503.

Top Paying Cities for CAE Design Technician I

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: $78,233
  • San Francisco: $77,377
  • Oakland: $75,746

What Skills Can Increase a CAE Design Technician I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.67% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Civil Engineering (Mentioned in 2.4% Job Postings): Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways. Civil engineering is traditionally broken into a number of sub-disciplines. It is considered the second-oldest engineering discipline after military engineering, and it is defined to distinguish non-military engineering from military engineering. Civil engineering takes place in the public sector from municipal through to national governments, and in the private sector from individual homeowners through to international companies.
  • Computer Aided Design (Mentioned in 1.27% Job Postings): CAD (computer-aided design) is the use of computer-based software to aid in design processes. CAD software is frequently used by different types of engineers and designers.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.67%
Civil Engineering 2.4%
Computer Aided Design 1.27%
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 Technician I's salary.

  • Vehicle Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Mechanical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Vehicle Safety $69,469
12%
Mechanical Engineering $68,229
10%
Analysis $67,608
9%
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CAE Design Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CAE Design Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,435. While startup companies pay approximate $58,740.

CAE Design Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,740
Growth Stage 51~500 $62,124
Established 501~5000 $67,051
Enterprise 5000+ $69,435

CAE Design Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAE Design Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, CAE Design Technician positions in Insurance or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAE Design Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAE Design Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$86,836$42.040%
Biotechnology$83,735$40.035%
Business Services$80,634$39.030%
Chemicals$77,532$37.025%
Construction$74,431$36.020%

CAE Design Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAE Design Technician I'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
$57,395
Average $62,026/year
$68,078
$4,783
Average $5,169/month
$5,673
$1,104
Average $1,193/week
$1,309
$28
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,078 $5,673 $1,309 $33
Average $62,026 $5,169 $1,193 $30
25th Percentile $57,395 $4,783 $1,104 $28

CAE Design Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

CAE Design Technician I

Next Role

Advancement

For a CAE Design Technician I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAE Design Technician II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $72,756 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for CAE Design Technician I

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

Common company salaries for CAE Design Technician I

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

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FAQ about CAE Design Technician I

1. Where can a CAE Design Technician I earn the most?

A CAE Design Technician I'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 Technician I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a CAE Design Technician I is $78,233.

2. What is the highest pay for CAE Design Technician I?

The highest pay for CAE Design Technician I is $73,588.

3. What is the lowest pay for CAE Design Technician I?

The lowest pay for CAE Design Technician I is $53,179.

4. What are the responsibilities of CAE Design Technician I?

Supports the computer-aided engineering (CAE) design engineering process for products, components, or structures. Assists with the creation of prototypes, layouts, and models to support the conceptual design process. Checks and verifies layouts and results of analysis for accuracy and adherence to standards. Collects, validates, and prepares data required for CAE processes. Typically requires an associate degree in engineering or related discipline. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for CAE Design Technician I?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for CAE Design Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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