As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE Designer III in the United States is $113,665 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
However, a CAE Designer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI Onboarding
A CAE Designer III'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a CAE Designer III'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CAE Designer I | 0-2 years | $73,353 |
| CAE Designer II | 2-4 years | $82,449 |
| CAE Designer III | 4-7 years | $113,665 |
| CAE Designer IV | 7+ years | $131,194 |
| CAE Designer V | 7-10 years | $149,533 |
What Am I Worth?
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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4.05% |
| Civil Engineering | 3.19% |
| Packaging Design | 0.86% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Self Motivation
|
$121,622 |
7%
|
|
Partnering
|
$117,075 |
3%
|
|
Aviation
|
$117,075 |
3%
|
|
Customer Sales
|
$117,075 |
3%
|
|
Problem Solving
|
$115,938 |
2%
|
|
Stewardship
|
$115,938 |
2%
|
CAE Designer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,133. While startup companies pay approximate $107,517.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $107,517 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $113,716 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $122,772 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $127,133 |
Understanding how a CAE Designer III'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 June 01, 2026For a CAE Designer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAE Designer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $131,194 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.
Salaries for a CAE Designer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $99,432 in 2023 to around $97,880 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CAE Designer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $99,432 |
| 2024 | $98,952 |
| 2025 | $97,880 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for CAE Designer III and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CAE Designer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
A CAE Designer III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a CAE Designer III is $143,366.
The highest pay for CAE Designer III is $134,997.
The lowest pay for CAE Designer III is $93,911.
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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
