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CAE Salary in California

How much does a CAE make in California?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE in California is $826,620 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $397.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $1,020,158
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $736,299 to $927,925
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $654,066
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAE Salaries

A CAE'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 Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAE'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $763,470
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $771,622
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $782,490
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $798,793
  • Expert (over 8 years): $819,172
Levels Salary
Entry Level CAE$763,470
Intermediate Level CAE$771,622
Senior Level CAE$782,490
Specialist Level CAE$798,793
Expert Level CAE$819,172
View as Graph

How Do CAE 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 CAEs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $829,768.
  • California: $826,620.
  • Massachusetts: $815,604.

Top Paying Cities for CAEs

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:

  • Los Angeles: $828,044
  • West Hollywood: $827,445
  • Dodgertown: $828,037

CAE Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAE roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, CAE positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAE as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a CAE

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$1,239,930$596.050%

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

Understanding how a CAE'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
$736,299
Average $826,620/year
$927,925
$61,358
Average $68,885/month
$77,327
$14,160
Average $15,897/week
$17,845
$354
Average $397/hour
$446
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $927,925 $77,327 $17,845 $446
Average $826,620 $68,885 $15,897 $397
25th Percentile $736,299 $61,358 $14,160 $354

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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