Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

CAE Designer VI Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Designer VI in the United States is $199,564 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $96.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $232,695
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $185,662 to $216,906
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $173,005
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAE Designer VI Salaries

A CAE Designer VI'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 VI Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAE Designer VI'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 IV (7+ years): $131,203
  • CAE Designer V (7-10 years): $149,546
  • CAE Designer VI (10-12 years): $199,564
  • CAE Design Supervisor I (12+ years): $93,200
  • CAE Design Supervisor II (12+ years): $119,294
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAE Designer IV7+ years$131,203
CAE Designer V7-10 years$149,546
CAE Designer VI10-12 years$199,564
CAE Design Supervisor I12+ years$93,200
CAE Design Supervisor II12+ years$119,294
View as Graph

How Do CAE Designer VI 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 VIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $220,957.
  • California: $220,119.
  • Massachusetts: $217,186.

Top Paying Cities for CAE Designer VIs

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: $251,710
  • San Francisco: $248,954
  • Oakland: $243,708

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

CAE Designer VI salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $223,021. While startup companies pay approximate $188,653.

CAE Designer VI Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $188,653
Growth Stage 51~500 $199,520
Established 501~5000 $215,355
Enterprise 5000+ $223,021

CAE Designer VI Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAE Designer VI roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% 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 VI as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAE Designer VI

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$239,477$115.020%
Pharmaceuticals$235,486$113.018%
Biotechnology$229,499$110.015%
Financial Services$223,512$107.012%
Energy & Utilities$219,520$106.010%

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

Understanding how a CAE Designer VI'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 September 01, 2026
$185,662
Average $199,564/year
$216,906
$15,472
Average $16,630/month
$18,076
$3,570
Average $3,838/week
$4,171
$89
Average $96/hour
$104
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $216,906 $18,076 $4,171 $104
Average $199,564 $16,630 $3,838 $96
25th Percentile $185,662 $15,472 $3,570 $89

CAE Designer VI Salary Growth & Career Path

CAE Designer VI

Next Role

Advancement

For a CAE Designer VI, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAE Design Supervisor I role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $93,200 - a projected growth of -53% over your current level.

Most common benefits for CAE Designer VI

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

Common company salaries for CAE Designer VI

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

Find Your Next CAE Designer VI Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CAE Designer VI job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about CAE Designer VI

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

A CAE Designer VI'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 VI earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a CAE Designer VI is $251,710.

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

The highest pay for CAE Designer VI is $232,695.

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

The lowest pay for CAE Designer VI is $173,005.

4. What are the responsibilities of CAE Designer VI?

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. Typically requires 12+ years of related experience. Achievement and depth of knowledge of specialization or field is the main differentiator. Advisory role on complex and challenging projects and initiatives. Recognized for deep technical and industry knowledge and innovative thinking. Provides thought leadership and guidance to a functional area and the organization.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for CAE Designer VI roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job