Architectural and Engineering Managers Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New Hampshire NH | $212,050 | $101.95/hr | $185,034 | 970 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | 114.6 |
| #2 | New Mexico NM | $193,820 | $93.18/hr | $185,829 | 1,230 | Albuquerque, NM | 104.3 |
| #3 | California CA | $190,147 | $91.42/hr | $127,019 | 28,080 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 149.7 |
| #4 | District of Columbia DC | $185,220 | $89.05/hr | $116,563 | 5,500 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #5 | Colorado CO | $184,856 | $88.87/hr | $148,003 | 4,550 | Boulder, CO | 124.9 |
| #6 | South Dakota SD | $184,525 | $88.72/hr | $192,413 | 180 | Rapid City, SD | 95.9 |
| #7 | Massachusetts MA | $184,018 | $88.47/hr | $140,686 | 7,730 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 130.8 |
| #8 | New Jersey NJ | $182,425 | $87.71/hr | $152,147 | 500 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 119.9 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Architectural and Engineering Managers: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance & Management Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance & Management occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Architectural and Engineering Managers. Official 2026 economic data for Architectural and Engineering Managers compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Architectural and Engineering Managers range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Architectural and Engineering Managers: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Architectural and Engineering Managers is $171,270 per year ($82.34/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 331 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $121,340 in Springfield, OH to $234,590 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Architectural and Engineering Managers
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $234,590 | +37.0% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $221,580 | +29.4% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $215,120 | +25.6% |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $213,070 | +24.4% |
| Peoria, IL | $212,820 | +24.3% |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $212,050 | +23.8% |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $207,900 | +21.4% |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $207,140 | +20.9% |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $206,880 | +20.8% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $205,130 | +19.8% |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $204,420 | +19.4% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $204,340 | +19.3% |