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CAE Designer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Designer IV in the United States is $131,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,360
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $121,180 to $139,659
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $112,057
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAE Designer IV Salaries

A CAE Designer IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAE Designer IV'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 II (2-4 years): $82,445
  • CAE Designer III (4-7 years): $113,677
  • CAE Designer IV (7+ years): $131,200
  • CAE Designer V (7-10 years): $149,542
  • CAE Designer VI (10-12 years): $199,556
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAE Designer II2-4 years$82,445
CAE Designer III4-7 years$113,677
CAE Designer IV7+ years$131,200
CAE Designer V7-10 years$149,542
CAE Designer VI10-12 years$199,556
View as Graph

How Do CAE Designer IVs 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 Designer IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $145,265.
  • California: $144,714.
  • Massachusetts: $142,785.

Top Paying Cities for CAE Designer IV

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: $165,483
  • San Francisco: $163,671
  • Oakland: $160,221

CAE Designer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CAE Designer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $146,871. While startup companies pay approximate $124,249.

CAE Designer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $124,249
Growth Stage 51~500 $131,408
Established 501~5000 $141,830
Enterprise 5000+ $146,871

CAE Designer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAE Designer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, CAE Designer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAE Designer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAE Designer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$164,000$79.025%
Insurance$157,440$76.020%
Aerospace & Defense$150,880$73.015%
Financial Services$150,880$73.015%
Energy & Utilities$144,320$69.010%

CAE Designer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAE Designer IV'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
$121,180
Average $131,200/year
$139,659
$10,098
Average $10,933/month
$11,638
$2,330
Average $2,523/week
$2,686
$58
Average $63/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $139,659 $11,638 $2,686 $67
Average $131,200 $10,933 $2,523 $63
25th Percentile $121,180 $10,098 $2,330 $58

CAE Designer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

CAE Designer IV

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Advancement

For a CAE Designer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAE Designer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $149,542 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for CAE Designer IV

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

Common company salaries for CAE Designer IV

Here are companies hiring for CAE Designer IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about CAE Designer IV

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

A CAE Designer IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a CAE Designer IV is $165,483.

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

The highest pay for CAE Designer IV is $147,360.

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

The lowest pay for CAE Designer IV is $112,057.

4. What are the responsibilities of CAE Designer IV?

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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for CAE Designer IV?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for CAE Designer IV roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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