Urban and Regional Planners
Median wage · national
$89,320
Range: $72K – $110K
Employed
44K
Openings/yr
3K
Typically: master's degree
STEM
Architectural & Engineering Manager
With a national median of $171,270 and +5.5% projected job growth through 2035, Architectural & Engineering Manager offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
About Architectural & Engineering Manager
This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a architectural & engineering manager: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Electrical Engineering and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
- Median Wage
- $171,270
- Employed Nationally
- 220K
- Openings / Year
- 14,900
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Architect Manager
Architectural Project Manager
Civil Engineering Manager
Civil Project Manager (Civil PM)
Data Engineering Director
How Much Do Architectural & Engineering Managers Make?
Most architectural & engineering managers take home around $171,270 a year, well above what most college graduates make. Half earn somewhere between $139,360 and $212,500, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. Worth weighing against how long the training takes. Source: BLS.
A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.
$171,270
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$139K–$213K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$139,360
Entry-level
$171,270
Median
$212,500
Experienced
What Do Architectural & Engineering Managers Do?
This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.
What You'll Do
- Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
- Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
- Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.
- Prepare budgets, bids, or contracts.
- Present and explain proposals, reports, or findings to clients.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Reading Comprehension
Complex Problem Solving
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Who Thrives Here
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
Where Do Architectural & Engineering Managers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Architectural & Engineering Managers?
Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by +5.5%, meaning it is growing at about the same pace as everything else, so expect steady demand. Around 14,900 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.
Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.
↗ +5.5%
10-Year Growth (2025–2035)
About as fast as average.
14,900
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
220K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Architectural & Engineering Manager professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $171,270 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 29,630 | $210,280 | +22.8% |
| 2 | Texas | 19,030 | $171,370 | +0.1% |
| 3 | Michigan | 14,820 | $166,930 | -2.5% |
| 4 | Ohio | 9,690 | $166,870 | -2.6% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 9,640 | $164,690 | -3.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
To get hired here you will usually need a bachelor's degree. The 10 programs below are the most common routes in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.
The next most common path is a Civil Engineering program and the colleges offering it, which suits a different kind of applicant.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 27,809 | $100,647 | 460 |
| 2 | Civil Engineering | 20,728 | $86,517 | 326 |
| 3 | Computer Engineering | 18,973 | $109,015 | 418 |
| 4 | Bioengineering | 14,006 | $93,451 | 250 |
| 5 | General Engineering | 12,241 | $89,359 | 780 |
| 6 | Chemical Engineering | 11,830 | $98,158 | 211 |
| 7 | Aerospace Engineering | 9,220 | $98,207 | 95 |
| 8 | Architectural Sciences and Technology | 9,033 | $70,074 | 199 |
| 9 | Architecture, General | 4,794 | $66,914 | 140 |
| 10 | Environmental Engineering | 3,012 | $81,171 | 168 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Architectural & Engineering Managers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 5 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Architectural & Engineering Manager, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Architectural & Engineering Manager pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Architectural & Engineering Manager Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Architectural & Engineering Manager a compelling path. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $171,270 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +5.5% growth through 2035, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $212,500 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
- Wide job market 220K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
CONS
- Extensive preparation before reaching full earning potential This is a Job Zone 5 occupation, extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $171,270 median while building the experience employers require.
Architectural & Engineering Manager Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Architectural & Engineering Manager professionals earn?
Around $171,270 a year for the typical worker, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $139,360 and $212,500. Treat the national figure as a starting point rather than a promise: employer size, industry and city all move it.
Is Architectural & Engineering Manager a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $171,270 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Job growth of +5.5% through 2035 means demand is real. The harder question is whether the education investment at your specific program will pay off. School selection matters enormously at this preparation level.
How long does it take to work as Architectural & Engineering Managers?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Electrical Engineering are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $171,270 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Architectural & Engineering Manager?
Employment is projected to change by +5.5% through 2035, about as fast as average compared with other occupations. Around 14,900 roles open each year once you count people retiring and moving on, which matters more to someone starting out than the growth rate does. 220K people do this job nationwide today, so it is an established field rather than a niche one. Source: BLS May 2025.
Why do Architectural & Engineering Manager salaries vary so widely?
The $73,140 gap between the 25th ($139,360) and 75th ($212,500) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Architectural & Engineering Manager professionals need?
Mainly Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Notice how many of those are habits rather than facts: they come from doing the work, not from a lecture. That is why programs with an internship or co-op requirement put you ahead of people who only studied the theory. Source: O*NET.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 106 of 393 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.