Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Architectural and engineering managers oversee complex technical work while guiding teams and projects. This role combines leadership with strong foundations in math, science, and technology. With national employment of 212,000 and projected growth of 3.8%, it represents a sizable management field with room for additional hiring over time. The typical entry point is at least a bachelor’s degree, paired with skills in project management, problem solving, and decision making. Strong speaking, listening, and writing abilities support communication with diverse stakeholders, while creativity and innovation help managers steer designs and technical solutions. Nationally, the median annual salary of $167,740 reflects the high level of responsibility associated with coordinating architectural or engineering activities. For people who enjoy both technical subjects and leading others, this career offers a path that blends analytical thinking, computers and information technology, and strategic leadership in one role.
Architectural and engineering managers earn a national median annual salary of $167,740, indicating substantial earning potential in this leadership-focused technical career. Pay can vary depending on location. Among top states, California shows a median salary of $210,280, while Massachusetts is close behind at $201,430. Washington and Colorado also offer relatively high medians at $189,680 and $183,810, respectively, and New York reports $175,710. At the metro level, salaries can be even higher. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara area has a median of $234,590, and the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont area reports $221,580. Boston–Cambridge–Newton shows $205,130, while New York–Newark–Jersey City reports $183,890. These figures suggest that choosing certain states or metro areas can significantly influence potential earnings for qualified professionals in this occupation.
Architectural and engineering managers have national employment of 212,000, indicating a well-established career path. Projected employment growth of 3.8% points to continued demand over the projection period, rather than a static job market. With 14,000 annual openings, there are recurring opportunities for new and experienced professionals to enter or advance within the field. This combination of existing employment, measured growth, and steady openings can support long-term career planning. The consistent growth rate of 3.8% also appears in leading states and metro areas, suggesting that multiple regions anticipate similar expansion. For students and career changers, this means that investing in the necessary education and skills can align with an occupation that is both sizable today and expected to add jobs over time, while also experiencing ongoing turnover and advancement opportunities reflected in the annual openings.
Location choices can make a meaningful difference for architectural and engineering managers in terms of both salary and concentration of opportunities. Among states, California stands out with 29,630 employed managers, a median salary of $210,280, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also offer high medians—$201,430 and $175,710—with employment of 7,690 and 8,250 and opportunity scores above 65. Colorado and Washington provide mid-sized employment levels (4,900 and 6,060) and strong salaries, from $183,810 to $189,680, with opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara combines a very high median salary of $234,590 with an opportunity score of 77.42. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro has a similarly high opportunity score of 77.27 and 7,580 employed. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton also show robust combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores.
For architectural and engineering managers, the typical education requirement is a bachelor’s degree. This formal education provides a foundation for the technical and analytical demands of the role, which commonly draws on mathematics, science, and computers and information technology. Beyond the degree itself, the skill profile highlights what helps managers succeed day to day. Leadership and project management are central, reflecting the need to coordinate people, timelines, and resources. Problem solving and decision making, paired with critical and analytical thinking, support sound judgment on complex technical and organizational issues. Communication is also important: speaking and listening skills aid verbal interactions, while writing and reading skills support documentation and analysis. Creativity and innovation round out the profile, helping managers guide new approaches and improvements. Together, these skills illustrate why both formal education and ongoing skill development matter for entering and advancing in this career.
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