Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Architectural and engineering managers (SOC 11-9041) employed 220,260 people in May 2025. The median pay is $171,270 a year ($82.34 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $120,810 and the highest-paid 10% more than $262,760. BLS projects its employment to change by +5.5% between 2025 and 2035 (about 14,900 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more experience in a related occupation.
Highest median pay: New Mexico ($215,120), California ($210,280), Massachusetts ($201,430). Most jobs: California (29,630), Texas (19,030), Michigan (14,820).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $120,810 | $58.08 |
| 25th percentile | $139,360 | $67.00 |
| Median | $171,270 | $82.34 |
| Mean | $181,540 | $87.28 |
| 75th percentile | $212,500 | $102.16 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $262,760 | $126.33 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 220,900 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 233,100 |
| Change in jobs | 12,200 |
| Percent change | +5.5% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 14,900 |
| Self-employed share | 0.2% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | 5 years or more |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3,790 | 1.27 | $162,350 | $106,100 | $236,230 | -5% | 8% |
| Alaska | 900 | 1.95 | $164,260 | $113,790 | $236,490 | -4% | 11% |
| Arizona | 4,680 | 1.02 | $167,480 | $121,500 | $249,990 | -2% | 12% |
| Arkansas | 1,220 | 0.66 | $140,600 | $98,520 | $209,320 | -18% | 8% |
| California | 29,630 | 1.15 | $210,280 | $137,900 | $296,130 | +23% | 12% |
| Colorado | 4,900 | 1.20 | $183,810 | $135,380 | $272,950 | +7% | 12% |
| Connecticut | 4,970 | 2.07 | $175,490 | $122,200 | $245,970 | +2% | 11% |
| Delaware | 560 | 0.81 | $181,190 | $131,490 | $222,050 | +6% | 10% |
| District of Columbia | 1,290 | 1.30 | $185,220 | $138,470 | $225,080 | +8% | 13% |
| Florida | 8,710 | 0.62 | $170,740 | $116,900 | $251,590 | -0% | 13% |
| Georgia | 3,590 | 0.52 | $161,470 | $107,170 | $221,750 | -6% | 11% |
| Hawaii | 1,220 | 1.37 | $151,670 | $99,920 | $216,650 | -11% | 15% |
| Idaho | 850 | 0.70 | $162,970 | $103,130 | $219,970 | -5% | 10% |
| Illinois | 8,900 | 1.03 | $163,610 | $112,090 | $231,880 | -4% | 10% |
| Indiana | 4,610 | 1.02 | $155,810 | $102,030 | $214,470 | -9% | 9% |
| Iowa | 1,520 | 0.69 | $147,320 | $103,470 | $210,220 | -14% | 8% |
| Kansas | 2,010 | 0.99 | $160,150 | $113,990 | $235,170 | -6% | 8% |
| Kentucky | 1,800 | 0.63 | $147,680 | $114,220 | $201,730 | -14% | 8% |
| Louisiana | 1,840 | 0.67 | $162,850 | $119,600 | $218,970 | -5% | 8% |
| Maine | 820 | 0.90 | $145,720 | $111,490 | $208,140 | -15% | 10% |
| Maryland | 5,240 | 1.34 | $172,670 | $114,080 | $231,460 | +1% | 12% |
| Massachusetts | 7,690 | 1.49 | $201,430 | $137,750 | $286,410 | +18% | 11% |
| Michigan | 14,820 | 2.38 | $166,930 | $117,490 | $218,050 | -3% | 8% |
| Minnesota | 4,580 | 1.10 | $172,130 | $128,430 | $223,540 | +1% | 9% |
| Mississippi | 860 | 0.52 | $142,790 | $99,210 | $205,560 | -17% | 8% |
| Missouri | 2,250 | 0.54 | $157,800 | $105,170 | $213,050 | -8% | 8% |
| Montana | 560 | 0.78 | $146,030 | $105,270 | $204,300 | -15% | 10% |
| Nebraska | 1,510 | 1.04 | $141,020 | $103,070 | $222,240 | -18% | 9% |
| Nevada | 780 | 0.36 | $161,560 | $108,300 | $228,590 | -6% | 13% |
| New Hampshire | 2,160 | 2.24 | $172,240 | $120,350 | $266,950 | +1% | 11% |
| New Jersey | 4,540 | 0.75 | $180,640 | $129,690 | $275,950 | +5% | 12% |
| New Mexico | 2,270 | 1.84 | $215,120 | $163,530 | $268,190 | +26% | 6% |
| New York | 8,250 | 0.60 | $175,710 | $128,500 | $274,870 | +3% | 11% |
| North Carolina | 6,960 | 0.99 | $167,840 | $121,900 | $231,350 | -2% | 10% |
| North Dakota | 270 | 0.44 | $147,400 | $112,130 | $215,100 | -14% | 8% |
| Ohio | 9,690 | 1.23 | $166,870 | $117,640 | $220,990 | -3% | 8% |
| Oklahoma | 2,070 | 0.85 | $157,330 | $108,990 | $234,620 | -8% | 8% |
| Pennsylvania | 9,640 | 1.12 | $164,690 | $118,170 | $221,940 | -4% | 9% |
| Rhode Island | 370 | 0.53 | $175,910 | $124,410 | $257,780 | +3% | 10% |
| South Carolina | 3,200 | 0.98 | $169,040 | $115,280 | $226,970 | -1% | 9% |
| South Dakota | 310 | 0.48 | $164,330 | $116,320 | $209,210 | -4% | 7% |
| Tennessee | 3,600 | 0.77 | $161,430 | $105,980 | $239,240 | -6% | 10% |
| Texas | 19,030 | 0.95 | $171,370 | $120,460 | $277,790 | +0% | 10% |
| Utah | 2,290 | 0.93 | $161,120 | $113,080 | $221,400 | -6% | 12% |
| Vermont | 350 | 0.81 | $157,710 | $110,930 | $214,980 | -8% | 10% |
| Virginia | 4,390 | 0.75 | $176,160 | $124,830 | $253,060 | +3% | 11% |
| Washington | 6,060 | 1.21 | $189,680 | $148,930 | $263,550 | +11% | 12% |
| West Virginia | 420 | 0.42 | $149,430 | $103,690 | $211,550 | -13% | 7% |
| Wisconsin | 4,550 | 1.09 | $142,060 | $103,720 | $207,680 | -17% | 10% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 5,130 | $234,590 | $174,850 | $318,400 | 3.19 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 5,000 | $221,580 | $165,160 | $320,120 | 1.49 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 1,160 | $215,120 | $151,050 | $268,190 | 2.03 |
| Peoria, IL | 540 | $212,820 | $126,620 | $267,690 | 2.28 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 970 | $212,050 | $129,710 | $266,110 | 3.44 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 340 | $207,900 | $131,330 | $266,750 | 1.21 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 6,690 | $205,130 | $138,960 | $290,440 | 1.75 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 4,390 | $204,340 | $158,330 | $265,340 | 1.49 |
| Boulder, CO | 680 | $203,420 | $146,600 | $268,670 | 2.49 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 3,270 | $202,810 | $134,660 | $283,130 | 1.50 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 330 | $199,380 | $149,430 | $286,320 | 1.78 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 970 | $199,040 | $125,080 | $274,690 | 1.69 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 320 | $196,870 | $132,550 | $276,380 | 0.94 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,570 | $193,970 | $134,080 | $257,340 | 1.03 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 2,860 | $191,440 | $139,990 | $287,530 | 1.25 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 9,570 | $190,900 | $132,870 | $269,320 | 1.08 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 5,500 | $185,220 | $138,180 | $259,680 | 1.24 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 7,580 | $183,890 | $133,740 | $289,560 | 0.56 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 560 | $183,400 | $131,590 | $261,580 | 1.24 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | 360 | $181,690 | $128,570 | $243,140 | 2.00 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 700 | $181,000 | $132,520 | $230,200 | 1.09 |
| Columbus, IN | 310 | $180,830 | $129,530 | $211,950 | 4.44 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 540 | $179,760 | $130,510 | $267,240 | 1.18 |
| Worcester, MA | 630 | $179,150 | $129,010 | $260,000 | 1.27 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,780 | $177,990 | $127,080 | $259,070 | 0.89 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 2,950 | $177,160 | $132,700 | $276,990 | 1.89 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 3,130 | $176,540 | $123,440 | $288,330 | 1.71 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 1,100 | $175,490 | $129,630 | $256,510 | 3.17 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 330 | $175,380 | $121,630 | $256,140 | 1.38 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 420 | $175,030 | $131,900 | $220,860 | 1.65 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 3,820 | $174,510 | $131,640 | $227,560 | 1.38 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 2,530 | $174,440 | $125,980 | $220,630 | 2.98 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 730 | $174,040 | $113,310 | $221,190 | 1.30 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 620 | $172,640 | $124,390 | $254,650 | 0.61 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,160 | $172,600 | $121,510 | $250,670 | 0.48 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 860 | $172,480 | $129,900 | $267,480 | 1.77 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 5,970 | $172,160 | $109,320 | $271,240 | 1.04 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 5,330 | $172,020 | $124,910 | $285,950 | 1.14 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 670 | $171,950 | $129,270 | $271,950 | 2.17 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 510 | $171,720 | $137,760 | $259,800 | 1.55 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 5,060 | $171,140 | $131,420 | $249,020 | 1.23 |
| Syracuse, NY | 470 | $169,980 | $126,940 | $225,980 | 1.10 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 1,830 | $169,960 | $125,020 | $256,460 | 0.95 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 1,850 | $169,780 | $127,890 | $256,090 | 1.76 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 3,250 | $169,310 | $124,910 | $263,890 | 0.97 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,480 | $169,310 | $109,850 | $260,000 | 0.72 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 1,220 | $168,650 | $110,120 | $242,000 | 0.76 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 9,260 | $168,550 | $128,680 | $218,050 | 3.43 |
| Boise City, ID | 600 | $168,530 | $110,000 | $224,040 | 1.08 |
| Huntsville, AL | 1,630 | $168,380 | $111,780 | $232,010 | 4.33 |
| Ogden, UT | 500 | $167,990 | $120,290 | $220,860 | 1.30 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 660 | $167,800 | $108,900 | $249,530 | 0.61 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 2,350 | $167,350 | $107,790 | $220,950 | 1.22 |
| Richmond, VA | 570 | $167,170 | $123,390 | $236,770 | 0.61 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 1,610 | $167,160 | $109,220 | $239,990 | 0.40 |
| New Haven, CT | 550 | $167,080 | $109,480 | $220,160 | 1.37 |
| Birmingham, AL | 600 | $166,670 | $107,440 | $265,380 | 0.81 |
| Rochester, NY | 650 | $166,550 | $123,740 | $231,250 | 0.93 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | 320 | $166,430 | $120,960 | $245,230 | 1.40 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 380 | $166,310 | $109,340 | $235,860 | 0.23 |
The median is $171,270 a year ($82.34 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $120,810 and the highest-paid tenth over $262,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
220,260 in May 2025, and BLS projects +5.5% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
New Mexico, with a median of $215,120 (among states with published figures).