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CAE Designer I Salary in the United States

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

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Designer I in the United States is $73,358 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,510
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,571 to $80,242
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,392
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View as table View as graph 25% $66,571 10% $60,392 90% $86,510 75% $80,242 $73,358 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

CAE Designer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $80,242 $6,687 $1,543 $39
Average $73,358 $6,113 $1,411 $35
25th Percentile $66,571 $5,548 $1,280 $32
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Key Factors That Influence CAE Designer I Salaries

A CAE Designer 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 Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAE Designer 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 Designer I (0-2 years): $73,358
  • CAE Designer II (2-4 years): $82,454
  • CAE Designer III (4-7 years): $113,653
  • CAE Designer IV (7+ years): $131,189
  • CAE Designer V (7-10 years): $149,529
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAE Designer I0-2 years$73,358
CAE Designer II2-4 years$82,454
CAE Designer III4-7 years$113,653
CAE Designer IV7+ years$131,189
CAE Designer V7-10 years$149,529
$73,358 CAE Desig...
$82,454 CAE Desig...
$113,653 CAE Desig...
$131,189 CAE Desig...
$149,529 CAE Desig...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for CAE Designer Is

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: $92,526
  • San Francisco: $91,617
  • Oakland: $89,585

What Skills Can Increase a CAE Designer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 5.41% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 2.03% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Building Codes (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): A building code (also building control or building regulations) is a set of rules that specify the standards for constructed objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures. Buildings must conform to the code to obtain planning permission, usually from a local council. The main purpose of building codes is to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures. The building code becomes law of a particular jurisdiction when formally enacted by the appropriate governmental or private authority. Building codes are generally intended to be applied by architects, engineers, interior designers, constructors and regulators but are also used for various purposes by safety inspectors, environmental scientists, real estate developers, subcontractors, manufacturers of building products and materials, insurance companies, facility managers, tenants, and others. Codes regulate the design and construction of structures where adopted into law.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 5.41%
Packaging 2.03%
Building Codes 1.24%
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 Designer I's salary.
  • Solution Design: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Civil Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • 3D Modeling: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Solution Design
$83,628
14%
Civil Engineering
$79,227
8%
3D Modeling
$78,493
7%
Collaboration
$77,759
6%
Packaging
$77,026
5%
Project Design
$76,292
4%
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CAE Designer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAE Designer 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 April 01, 2026

CAE Designer I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a CAE Designer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAE Designer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $82,454 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Salary Trends for CAE Designer I

Salaries for a CAE Designer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $65,220 in 2023 to around $65,061 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CAE Designer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of CAE Designer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$65,220
2024
$65,305
2025
$65,061
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $65,220
2024 $65,305
2025 $65,061
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for CAE Designer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for CAE Designer I

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FAQ about CAE Designer I

1. Where can a CAE Designer I earn the most?

A CAE Designer 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 Designer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a CAE Designer I is $92,526.

2. What is the highest pay for CAE Designer I?

The highest pay for CAE Designer I is $86,510.

3. What is the lowest pay for CAE Designer I?

The lowest pay for CAE Designer I is $60,392.

4. What are the responsibilities of CAE Designer I?

Utilizes computer-aided engineering (CAE) software tools to support and optimize the design engineering process for complex products, components, or structures. Creates prototypes, detailed layouts, and models to support the conceptual design process. Conducts research and analysis to understand requirements and specifications, identify optimal materials, and assess manufacturability. Performs computer simulations to find flaws or design inefficiencies, model various load and stress scenarios, and implement design improvements. Collects and assembles data and maintains design documentation. Employs CAE tools to enable benchmarking, concept design, prototype development, simulation, and testing protocols. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

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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