Architectural and Engineering Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
Also called: Architect Manager, Architectural Project Manager, Civil Engineering Manager, Civil Project Manager (Civil PM), Data Engineering Director, Data Engineering Manager
Median pay
$171,270
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$120,810 – $262,760
People employed
220,260
Holland code
EIC
Enterprising · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 2.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 5.Do you want the same hours every week?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Architectural and Engineering Managers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Architectural and Engineering Managers salary in every state →
What architectural and engineering managers do
- 01Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
- 02Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
- 03Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.
- 04Prepare budgets, bids, or contracts.
- 05Present and explain proposals, reports, or findings to clients.
- 06Confer with management, production, or marketing staff to discuss project specifications or procedures.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
Knowledge
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 10 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from architectural and engineering managers
- Chief Sustainability Officers70% · group pay
- Computer and Information Systems Managers70% · +2%
- Purchasing Managers68% · −14%
- Investment Fund Managers68% · group pay
- Chief Executives68% · +25%
Change into architectural and engineering managers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Cost Estimators81% · $78,740
- Sales Engineers80% · $124,900
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval72% · $99,280
- Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary72% · $109,270
- Sustainability Specialists72% · $83,050
Majors that lead here
- Architecture
- Architectural Design
- City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning
- Environmental Design/Architecture
- Healthcare Environment Design/Architecture
- Interior Architecture
- Landscape Architecture
- Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
- Engineering, General
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
- Astronautical Engineering
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.