Interior Designer
Median wage · national
$67,190
Range: $52K – $86K
Employed
72K
Openings/yr
8K
Typically: bachelor's degree
STEM
Architectural & Engineering Manager
With a national median of $171,270 and +3.8% projected job growth through 2034, Architectural & Engineering Manager offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
About Architectural & Engineering Manager
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
- 14,500
- 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?
Architectural & Engineering Manager earn $171,270 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $139,360 and $212,500. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$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?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Architectural & Engineering Manager roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
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?
The BLS projects +3.8% employment change for Architectural & Engineering Manager through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 14,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +3.8%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
14,500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
220K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
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 | 30,690 | $201,810 | +17.8% |
| 2 | Texas | 17,980 | $170,650 | -0.4% |
| 3 | Michigan | 14,030 | $163,000 | -4.8% |
| 4 | Illinois | 9,030 | $157,480 | -8.1% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 8,680 | $154,400 | -9.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Architectural & Engineering Manager positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 10 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
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
The data on Architectural & Engineering Manager shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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.
- 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?
The national median annual wage for Architectural & Engineering Manager is $171,270, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $139,360 and $212,500. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
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 +3.8% through 2034 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 become a Architectural & Engineering Manager?
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?
The BLS projects +3.8% employment change for Architectural & Engineering Manager through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 14,500 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 220K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
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?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Architectural & Engineering Manager roles: Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening, Writing, and Speaking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
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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 95 of 385 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
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