What are the main factors that influence a CAE's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for CAE?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for CAE roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

How does experience change A CAE's salary?

A CAE's salary grows with experience: starting around $750,527 for beginners, reaching about $769,224 at mid-level, and approach $805,284 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a CAE?

CAE salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for CAE roles are District of Columbia $829,768, California $826,620, Massachusetts $815,604. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of CAE roles make?

Salaries for CAE level roles vary by specialization: CAE Services Director: $219,360; CAE Designer VI: $199,564; CAE Designer V: $149,546; CAE Services Manager: $132,590; CAE Designer IV: $131,203.

CAE Salary in Washington

How much does a CAE make in Washington?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAE in Washington is $812,606 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $391.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $1,002,863
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $723,816 to $912,193
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $642,977

10% $642,977

50% (Median) $812,606

90% $1,002,863

CAE Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$912,193	$76,016	$17,542	$439
Average	$812,606	$67,717	$15,627	$391
25th Percentile	$723,816	$60,318	$13,920	$348

Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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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): $750,527
Early Career (1-2 years): $758,540
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $769,224
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $785,251
Expert (over 8 years): $805,284

Levels	Salary
Entry Level CAE	$750,527
Intermediate Level CAE	$758,540
Senior Level CAE	$769,224
Specialist Level CAE	$785,251
Expert Level CAE	$805,284

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.

District of Columbia $829,768 California $826,620 Massachusetts $815,604 Washington $812,606 New Jersey $812,306 Alaska $811,257 Connecticut $800,915 New York $796,718

Hawaii $783,303 Rhode Island $777,008 Maryland $772,736 Minnesota $766,891 Colorado $764,642 Illinois $763,893 Oregon $761,045 Delaware $758,947

New Hampshire $757,628 Virginia $754,675 Pennsylvania $746,057 Nevada $741,710 North Dakota $740,286 Michigan $738,038 Wisconsin $737,213 Vermont $735,565

Texas $730,993 Maine $730,693 Arizona $730,244 Ohio $729,719 Georgia $722,824 Indiana $719,377 Wyoming $718,702 Utah $717,653

Iowa $717,204 Kansas $713,606 Louisiana $712,557 North Carolina $712,182 Missouri $712,032 Florida $709,110 Montana $707,536 Nebraska $706,037

Kentucky $705,213 South Carolina $702,215 Tennessee $700,341 Idaho $699,592 New Mexico $694,121 Oklahoma $692,922 Alabama $688,500 South Dakota $681,081

Arkansas $677,034 West Virginia $674,861 Mississippi $668,341

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:

Auburn: $811,609
Federal Way: $811,257
Bellevue: $827,932

Auburn, WA $811,609

Federal Way, WA $811,257

Bellevue, WA $827,932

Black Diamond, WA $807,270

Bothell, WA $824,012

Burton, WA $812,748

Carnation, WA $811,834

Duvall, WA $814,509

Edmonds, WA $821,419

Enumclaw, WA $795,474

Fall City, WA $815,461

Hobart, WA $812,329

Issaquah, WA $818,294

Kenmore, WA $825,721

Kent, WA $812,321

Kirkland, WA $827,407

Lynnwood, WA $819,748

Maple Valley, WA $811,617

Medina, WA $828,164

Mercer Island, WA $827,879

Mountlake Terrace, WA $821,959

North Bend, WA $803,718

Pacific, WA $811,144

Preston, WA $816,735

Ravensdale, WA $805,119

Redmond, WA $826,215

Redondo, WA $812,171

Renton, WA $821,082

Rollingbay, WA $818,129

Seahurst, WA $822,596

Snoqualmie, WA $809,818

Snoqualmie Pass, WA $785,896

Vashon, WA $813,333

Woodinville, WA $821,217

Sammamish, WA $823,390

Mill Creek, WA $816,143

Seattle, WA $828,419

Bainbridge Island, WA $819,306

Everett, WA $816,953

Acme, WA $774,572

Anacortes, WA $781,872

Blakely Island, WA $776,513

Arlington, WA $805,494

Baring, WA $799,214

Bellingham, WA $773,561

Blaine, WA $771,949

Bow, WA $775,382

Burlington, WA $779,698

Clearlake, WA $784,090

Clinton, WA $814,584

Concrete, WA $775,741

Conway, WA $796,103

Coupeville, WA $800,038

Custer, WA $772,849

Darrington, WA $776,079

Deer Harbor, WA $776,971

Deming, WA $774,325

Eastsound, WA $773,950

Everson, WA $772,999

Ferndale, WA $773,208

Freeland, WA $810,193

Friday Harbor, WA $778,409

Gold Bar, WA $800,907

Granite Falls, WA $804,407

Greenbank, WA $807,652

Hamilton, WA $782,389

Index, WA $788,909

La Conner, WA $785,814

Lake Stevens, WA $816,833

North Lakewood, WA $811,549

Langley, WA $812,711

Lopez Island, WA $780,103

Lummi Island, WA $773,643

Lyman, WA $782,104

Lynden, WA $772,879

Maple Falls, WA $772,609

Marblemount, WA $774,220

Marysville, WA $816,983

Monroe, WA $810,245

Mount Vernon, WA $787,230

Mukilteo, WA $816,593

Nooksack, WA $772,894

Oak Harbor, WA $791,172

Olga, WA $774,970

Orcas, WA $776,363

Point Roberts, WA $770,323

Camano Island, WA $803,897

Rockport, WA $763,841

Sedro Woolley, WA $780,111

Shaw Island, WA $777,697

Silvana, WA $810,193

Skykomish, WA $785,117

Snohomish, WA $814,067

Stanwood, WA $807,173

Startup, WA $805,404

Sultan, WA $806,018

Sumas, WA $772,624

Waldron, WA $773,943

Anderson Island, WA $805,067

Ashford, WA $789,966

Beaver, WA $768,337

Bremerton, WA $813,280

Silverdale, WA $811,924

Brinnon, WA $803,245

Buckley, WA $806,048

Burley, WA $810,522

Carbonado, WA $799,056

Carlsborg, WA $784,825

Chimacum, WA $803,021

Clallam Bay, WA $768,457

Dupont, WA $803,568

Eatonville, WA $796,950

Gig Harbor, WA $807,839

Elbe, WA $792,371

Forks, WA $769,716

Fox Island, WA $809,998

Glenoma, WA $781,002

Graham, WA $805,809

Port Hadlock, WA $802,788

Hansville, WA $810,230

Indianola, WA $821,164

Joyce, WA $771,395

Kapowsin, WA $802,931

Keyport, WA $814,614

Kingston, WA $816,233

La Grande, WA $795,841

Lakebay, WA $805,876

La Push, WA $771,177

Longbranch, WA $802,489

Sumner, WA $809,556

Manchester, WA $819,838

Milton, WA $810,800

Mineral, WA $784,322

Morton, WA $781,924

Neah Bay, WA $769,334

Nordland, WA $804,624

Olalla, WA $811,467

Orting, WA $804,782

Packwood, WA $766,951

Port Angeles, WA $784,802

Port Gamble, WA $812,921

Port Ludlow, WA $808,349

Port Orchard, WA $813,775

Port Townsend, WA $799,626

Poulsbo, WA $814,907

Puyallup, WA $810,762

Quilcene, WA $804,977

Randle, WA $773,358

Retsil, WA $813,415

Seabeck, WA $809,968

Sekiu, WA $768,472

Sequim, WA $790,775

South Colby, WA $816,233

South Prairie, WA $806,198

Southworth, WA $819,598

Spanaway, WA $807,675

Steilacoom, WA $807,637

Bonney Lake, WA $808,491

Suquamish, WA $818,586

Tracyton, WA $813,625

Vaughn, WA $805,809

Wauna, WA $809,308

Wilkeson, WA $803,425

Longmire, WA $781,505

Paradise Inn, WA $780,883

Tacoma, WA $810,582

Camp Murray, WA $808,394

Mcchord Afb, WA $810,522

Lakewood, WA $810,440

University Place, WA $810,575

Olympia, WA $794,620

Lacey, WA $796,426

Tumwater, WA $794,942

Aberdeen, WA $781,984

Adna, WA $784,780

Allyn, WA $804,917

Amanda Park, WA $773,276

Bay Center, WA $774,010

Belfair, WA $806,543

Bucoda, WA $794,672

Centralia, WA $793,435

Chehalis, WA $789,666

Cinebar, WA $788,482

Copalis Beach, WA $774,917

Copalis Crossing, WA $773,568

Cosmopolis, WA $786,361

Curtis, WA $778,986

Doty, WA $786,990

East Olympia, WA $796,021

Elma, WA $793,930

Ethel, WA $782,531

Galvin, WA $792,971

Grapeview, WA $801,627

Grayland, WA $774,625

Hoodsport, WA $799,116

Hoquiam, WA $779,534

Humptulips, WA $776,296

Lebam, WA $778,312

Lilliwaup, WA $803,081

Littlerock, WA $794,657

Mccleary, WA $794,829

Mckenna, WA $798,292

Malone, WA $793,833

Matlock, WA $794,185

Menlo, WA $778,732

Moclips, WA $773,658

Montesano, WA $790,970

Mossyrock, WA $776,423

Napavine, WA $787,627

Neilton, WA $775,599

Oakville, WA $793,091

Ocean Shores, WA $775,951

Onalaska, WA $788,579

Pacific Beach, WA $773,703

Pe Ell, WA $780,650

Quinault, WA $777,697

Rainier, WA $796,006

Raymond, WA $779,683

Rochester, WA $793,353

Roy, WA $802,369

Ryderwood, WA $775,359

Salkum, WA $782,014

Satsop, WA $792,394

Shelton, WA $797,325

Silver Creek, WA $781,744

South Bend, WA $773,666

Taholah, WA $772,766

Tahuya, WA $801,769

Tenino, WA $795,257

Tokeland, WA $775,367

Toledo, WA $778,694

Union, WA $799,536

Vader, WA $778,125

Westport, WA $776,236

Winlock, WA $781,654

Yelm, WA $795,571

Amboy, WA $779,039

Appleton, WA $764,268

Ariel, WA $776,993

Battle Ground, WA $781,250

Bingen, WA $770,893

Brush Prairie, WA $782,232

Camas, WA $782,164

Carrolls, WA $775,719

Carson, WA $776,813

Castle Rock, WA $776,371

Cathlamet, WA $773,718

Centerville, WA $761,607

Chinook, WA $767,775

Cougar, WA $773,501

Dallesport, WA $763,211

Glenwood, WA $763,743

Goldendale, WA $761,352

Grays River, WA $772,849

Heisson, WA $780,800

Husum, WA $769,116

Ilwaco, WA $768,225

Kalama, WA $776,056

Kelso, WA $777,435

Klickitat, WA $763,226

La Center, WA $780,598

Long Beach, WA $769,724

Longview, WA $776,978

Lyle, WA $763,593

Nahcotta, WA $769,589

Naselle, WA $770,398

North Bonneville, WA $775,936

Ocean Park, WA $773,748

Oysterville, WA $771,320

Ridgefield, WA $781,445

Rosburg, WA $769,454

Seaview, WA $769,341

Silverlake, WA $776,671

Skamokawa, WA $771,545

Stevenson, WA $775,637

Toutle, WA $774,617

Trout Lake, WA $767,430

Underwood, WA $770,458

Vancouver, WA $784,465

Wahkiacus, WA $762,297

Washougal, WA $780,553

White Salmon, WA $768,292

Wishram, WA $761,412

Woodland, WA $778,762

Yacolt, WA $779,474

Wenatchee, WA $761,832

East Wenatchee, WA $760,828

Ardenvoir, WA $761,607

Brewster, WA $759,344

Bridgeport, WA $758,437

Carlton, WA $759,584

Cashmere, WA $761,645

Chelan, WA $760,348

Chelan Falls, WA $760,738

Conconully, WA $758,939

Dryden, WA $762,799

Entiat, WA $760,663

Ephrata, WA $757,868

George, WA $761,914

Leavenworth, WA $766,493

Loomis, WA $758,962

Malaga, WA $761,967

Malott, WA $759,202

Mansfield, WA $755,979

Manson, WA $760,536

Marlin, WA $754,450

Mazama, WA $759,741

Methow, WA $758,759

Monitor, WA $761,450

Moses Lake, WA $758,092

Okanogan, WA $758,445

Omak, WA $759,142

Orondo, WA $759,591

Oroville, WA $760,063

Palisades, WA $757,320

Pateros, WA $759,052

Peshastin, WA $761,135

Quincy, WA $760,588

Riverside, WA $758,962

Rock Island, WA $759,217

Soap Lake, WA $756,728

Stehekin, WA $759,936

Stratford, WA $754,832

Tonasket, WA $759,374

Twisp, WA $760,093

Warden, WA $760,963

Waterville, WA $757,493

Wauconda, WA $758,482

Wilson Creek, WA $754,083

Winthrop, WA $760,341

Yakima, WA $753,626

Brownstown, WA $753,626

Buena, WA $755,859

Cle Elum, WA $766,186

Cowiche, WA $753,626

Easton, WA $778,334

Ellensburg, WA $754,405

Naches, WA $765,864

Grandview, WA $773,823

Granger, WA $765,070

Harrah, WA $753,626

Kittitas, WA $754,285

Mabton, WA $766,081

Moxee, WA $756,054

Outlook, WA $765,032

Parker, WA $753,851

Ronald, WA $770,241

Roslyn, WA $769,319

Selah, WA $753,626

South Cle Elum, WA $769,671

Sunnyside, WA $777,090

Thorp, WA $756,938

Tieton, WA $753,626

Toppenish, WA $763,301

Vantage, WA $761,547

Wapato, WA $754,173

White Swan, WA $755,499

Zillah, WA $756,968

Airway Heights, WA $764,118

Chattaroy, WA $763,166

Cheney, WA $763,091

Colbert, WA $763,788

Deer Park, WA $763,001

Edwall, WA $762,109

Elk, WA $761,562

Fairchild Air Force Base, WA $764,013

Fairfield, WA $762,327

Ford, WA $762,462

Four Lakes, WA $764,020

Greenacres, WA $763,541

Lamont, WA $760,603

Latah, WA $761,143

Liberty Lake, WA $763,144

Marshall, WA $764,118

Mead, WA $763,226

Medical Lake, WA $763,653

Mica, WA $763,556

Newman Lake, WA $762,716

Nine Mile Falls, WA $763,713

Otis Orchards, WA $763,451

Reardan, WA $763,039

Rockford, WA $762,911

Spangle, WA $763,226

Sprague, WA $760,745

Tekoa, WA $760,003

Tumtum, WA $762,754

Valleyford, WA $763,811

Veradale, WA $763,975

Waverly, WA $762,064

Wellpinit, WA $761,540

Addy, WA $760,476

Albion, WA $759,501

Almira, WA $754,690

Belmont, WA $758,767

Benge, WA $758,280

Boyds, WA $758,624

Chewelah, WA $761,113

Clayton, WA $762,499

Colfax, WA $759,404

Colton, WA $754,428

Colville, WA $759,531

Coulee City, WA $755,222

Coulee Dam, WA $757,463

Creston, WA $757,530

Curlew, WA $758,992

Cusick, WA $756,384

Danville, WA $758,782

Davenport, WA $760,595

Electric City, WA $757,246

Elmer City, WA $759,232

Endicott, WA $759,824

Evans, WA $759,591

Farmington, WA $757,755

Fruitland, WA $760,326

Garfield, WA $758,407

Gifford, WA $759,726

Grand Coulee, WA $756,781

Harrington, WA $759,831

Hartline, WA $754,143

Hay, WA $757,485

Hunters, WA $759,854

Inchelium, WA $758,032

Ione, WA $754,203

Keller, WA $756,571

Kettle Falls, WA $759,127

Lacrosse, WA $758,280

Lamona, WA $757,298

Laurier, WA $758,580

Lincoln, WA $759,771

Loon Lake, WA $761,847

Malden, WA $761,892

Malo, WA $759,464

Marcus, WA $761,892

Metaline, WA $757,560

Metaline Falls, WA $753,176

Mohler, WA $759,232

Nespelem, WA $757,523

Newport, WA $758,744

Northport, WA $759,629

Oakesdale, WA $760,281

Odessa, WA $755,777

Orient, WA $758,392

Palouse, WA $757,156

Pullman, WA $756,713

Republic, WA $758,647

Rice, WA $759,381

Ritzville, WA $758,917

Rosalia, WA $762,124

Saint John, WA $760,506

Springdale, WA $761,525

Steptoe, WA $764,050

Thornton, WA $760,663

Uniontown, WA $753,701

Usk, WA $757,995

Valley, WA $761,195

Wilbur, WA $756,983

Spokane, WA $764,118

Pasco, WA $787,200

Benton City, WA $787,080

Beverly, WA $763,900

Bickleton, WA $761,847

Burbank, WA $789,988

College Place, WA $773,868

Connell, WA $771,455

Dayton, WA $758,707

Dixie, WA $765,864

Eltopia, WA $782,854

Hooper, WA $756,631

Kahlotus, WA $762,994

Kennewick, WA $794,620

Lind, WA $759,007

Mesa, WA $780,613

Othello, WA $767,715

Paterson, WA $778,005

Plymouth, WA $790,678

Pomeroy, WA $758,632

Prescott, WA $770,308

Mattawa, WA $769,619

Prosser, WA $779,399

Richland, WA $789,973

West Richland, WA $789,981

Roosevelt, WA $758,130

Royal City, WA $763,121

Starbuck, WA $760,835

Touchet, WA $781,992

Waitsburg, WA $763,616

Walla Walla, WA $770,480

Wallula, WA $788,085

Washtucna, WA $757,740

Anatone, WA $752,344

Asotin, WA $754,608

Clarkston, WA $756,361

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	$1,218,909	$586.0	50%

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.

$723,816

Average $812,606/year

$912,193

$60,318

Average $67,717/month

$76,016

$13,920

Average $15,627/week

$17,542

$348

Average $391/hour

$439

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$912,193	$76,016	$17,542	$439
Average	$812,606	$67,717	$15,627	$391
25th Percentile	$723,816	$60,318	$13,920	$348

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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CAE Salary in Washington

How much does a CAE make in Washington?

Key Factors That Influence CAE Salaries

How Experience Level Affects CAE Salaries?

How Do CAE Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for CAEs

CAE Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industry for a CAE

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

Find Your Next CAE Job

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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CAE Salary in Washington

How much does a CAE make in Washington?

Key Factors That Influence CAE Salaries

How Experience Level Affects CAE Salaries?

How Do CAE Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for CAEs

CAE Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industry for a CAE

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

Salaries of Jobs related to CAE

Find Your Next CAE Job

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