🇺🇸 United States · Architectural & Engineering Manager
From $172,940 / yr by industry
Mean salary — $172,940 / yr.
$172,940 / yr
💰 Pay spread — by industry / specialty
The mean is the headline; the spread is what matters.
195,000 $
Civil / Infra Mgr
Highway / bridge / utility projects
🟢 Tier 1 — BLS OEWS May 2024
200,000 $
Aerospace Eng Mgr
Defense / NASA contractors
🟢 Tier 1 — BLS OEWS May 2024
185,000 $
Electrical Eng Mgr
Power systems / semiconductor
🟢 Tier 1 — BLS OEWS May 2024
175,000 $
Mechanical Eng Mgr
Automotive / HVAC / industrial
🟢 Tier 1 — BLS OEWS May 2024
🗺️ The path — stage by stage
- 1. Bachelor (engineering / architecture) (4 yr) — ABET-accredited program
- 2. EIT / FE exam (0 yr) — Pass before graduation or shortly after
- 3. Engineer (entry) (4 yr) — Under PE supervision
- 4. PE license (— yr) — 8-hr exam after experience
- 5. Project Engineer / PM (4~8 yr) — Lead delivery teams
- 6. Engineering Manager (— yr) — P&L for engineering org
📝 Licensing exam
PE (Professional Engineer)
FE → 4 yr experience → PE exam. State-licensed.
💵 Specialties — same title, different number
| Specialty / Industry | Mean / yr | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Civil / Infra Mgr | 195,000 $ | Highway / bridge / utility projects |
| Aerospace Eng Mgr | 200,000 $ | Defense / NASA contractors |
| Electrical Eng Mgr | 185,000 $ | Power systems / semiconductor |
| Mechanical Eng Mgr | 175,000 $ | Automotive / HVAC / industrial |
| Architecture Firm Lead | 165,000 $ | Design firm partner / principal |
🏢 Employer types — base vs total comp
Engineering Firm
Base + project bonus
Government / Public
Lower base, strong pension
F500 Industrial
Base + LTI + perf bonus
📈 Income across years
Engineer (FE)
80,000 $
0~4 yr
Senior Engineer
120,000 $
4~8 yr
PE / Project Lead
150,000 $
8~12 yr
Engineering Manager
180,000 $
12+ yr
📚 Go deeper
Four sub-pages — gift, vision, path, history.