How much does a architectural and engineering manager make?
The median architectural and engineering manager in the United States earns $171,270 per year, about $82.34 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all architectural and engineering managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 11-9041.
Architectural and engineering manager salary range
Pay for architectural and engineering managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $120,810 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $262,760. The average (mean) wage of $181,540 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $120,810 | $58.08 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $139,360 | $67.00 | |
| Median (50th) | $171,270 | $82.34 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $212,500 | $102.16 | |
| 90th percentile | $262,760 | $126.33 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for architectural and engineering managers (SOC 11-9041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Architectural and engineering manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Architectural and engineering managers earn the most in New Mexico at $215,120 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $140,600. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $215,120 | 2,270 |
| California | $210,280 | 29,630 |
| Massachusetts | $201,430 | 7,690 |
| Washington | $189,680 | 6,060 |
| District of Columbia | $185,220 | 1,290 |
| Colorado | $183,810 | 4,900 |
| Delaware | $181,190 | 560 |
| New Jersey | $180,640 | 4,540 |
| Oregon | $177,190 | N/A |
| Virginia | $176,160 | 4,390 |
| Rhode Island | $175,910 | 370 |
| New York | $175,710 | 8,250 |
| Connecticut | $175,490 | 4,970 |
| Maryland | $172,670 | 5,240 |
| New Hampshire | $172,240 | 2,160 |
| Minnesota | $172,130 | 4,580 |
| Texas | $171,370 | 19,030 |
| Florida | $170,740 | 8,710 |
| South Carolina | $169,040 | 3,200 |
| North Carolina | $167,840 | 6,960 |
| Arizona | $167,480 | 4,680 |
| Michigan | $166,930 | 14,820 |
| Ohio | $166,870 | 9,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $164,690 | 9,640 |
| South Dakota | $164,330 | 310 |
| Alaska | $164,260 | 900 |
| Illinois | $163,610 | 8,900 |
| Wyoming | $163,560 | N/A |
| Idaho | $162,970 | 850 |
| Louisiana | $162,850 | 1,840 |
| Alabama | $162,350 | 3,790 |
| Nevada | $161,560 | 780 |
| Georgia | $161,470 | 3,590 |
| Tennessee | $161,430 | 3,600 |
| Utah | $161,120 | 2,290 |
| Kansas | $160,150 | 2,010 |
| Missouri | $157,800 | 2,250 |
| Vermont | $157,710 | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $157,330 | 2,070 |
| Indiana | $155,810 | 4,610 |
| Hawaii | $151,670 | 1,220 |
| West Virginia | $149,430 | 420 |
| Kentucky | $147,680 | 1,800 |
| North Dakota | $147,400 | 270 |
| Iowa | $147,320 | 1,520 |
| Montana | $146,030 | 560 |
| Maine | $145,720 | 820 |
| Mississippi | $142,790 | 860 |
| Wisconsin | $142,060 | 4,550 |
| Nebraska | $141,020 | 1,510 |
| Arkansas | $140,600 | 1,220 |
State median wages for architectural and engineering managers (SOC 11-9041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for architectural and engineering managers
The BLS projects employment of architectural and engineering managers to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 220,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 233,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 14,900 openings a year for architectural and engineering managers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an architectural and engineering manager
The typical entry-level education for architectural and engineering managers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an architectural and engineering manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Mexico, $215,120) and the lowest (Arkansas, $140,600) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 220,260 people work as architectural and engineering managers in the United States. At $171,270 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Architectural and engineering manager salary FAQ
How much does an architectural and engineering manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an architectural and engineering manager is $82.34. The middle half of architectural and engineering managers earn between $67.00 and $102.16 per hour.
What is the highest architectural and engineering manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of architectural and engineering managers earn more than $262,760 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an architectural and engineering manager make a year?
The median annual salary for an architectural and engineering manager is $171,270. The average (mean) wage of $181,540 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an architectural and engineering manager a well paid job?
At $171,270 a year, an architectural and engineering manager earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 220,260 people work as architectural and engineering managers in the United States.
Which state pays architectural and engineering managers the most?
New Mexico has the highest median salary for architectural and engineering managers at $215,120 a year. California ($210,280) and Massachusetts ($201,430) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an architectural and engineering manager a good career?
Employment of architectural and engineering managers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 14,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an architectural and engineering manager?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for architectural and engineering managers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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