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Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields. Excludes "Natural Sciences Managers" (11-9121).
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 179,990 | 1.0 % | $70.33 | $146,290 | 0.4 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $42.33 | $53.04 | $66.21 | $81.55 | (5) |
| Annual Wage (2) | $88,050 | $110,330 | $137,720 | $169,620 | (5) |
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 43,730 | 3.09 | $69.65 | $144,870 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 10,450 | 0.45 | $75.18 | $156,380 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 9,580 | 1.48 | $80.60 | $167,650 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 9,040 | 2.26 | $75.40 | $156,830 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 7,750 | 0.38 | $65.07 | $135,350 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 43,730 | 3.09 | $69.65 | $144,870 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 450 | 2.46 | $75.67 | $157,380 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 9,040 | 2.26 | $75.40 | $156,830 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 7,400 | 2.05 | $81.26 | $169,030 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 1,420 | 1.66 | $75.63 | $157,310 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil and Gas Extraction | 1,200 | 0.89 | $94.92 | $197,440 |
| Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | 40 | 0.12 | $93.42 | $194,310 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil | 40 | 0.29 | $89.79 | $186,760 |
| Other Pipeline Transportation | 50 | 0.65 | $87.39 | $181,770 |
| Spectator Sports | 60 | 0.04 | $86.04 | $178,970 |
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 28,040 | 1.68 | 1.33 | $81.30 | $169,100 |
| Texas | 11,370 | 0.96 | 0.76 | $81.83 | $170,210 |
| Michigan | 10,680 | 2.50 | 1.98 | $63.24 | $131,540 |
| Illinois | 9,860 | 1.66 | 1.32 | $63.60 | $132,290 |
| Massachusetts | 7,680 | 2.18 | 1.72 | $72.33 | $150,460 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 10,680 | 2.50 | 1.98 | $63.24 | $131,540 |
| New Mexico | 1,790 | 2.24 | 1.77 | $71.73 | $149,200 |
| Massachusetts | 7,680 | 2.18 | 1.72 | $72.33 | $150,460 |
| New Hampshire | 1,410 | 2.17 | 1.72 | $72.50 | $150,790 |
| Oregon | 3,940 | 2.15 | 1.70 | $76.52 | $159,170 |
Top paying States for this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 3,290 | 1.29 | 1.02 | $82.50 | $171,610 |
| Texas | 11,370 | 0.96 | 0.76 | $81.83 | $170,210 |
| California | 28,040 | 1.68 | 1.33 | $81.30 | $169,100 |
| New Jersey | 4,000 | 1.00 | 0.79 | $78.14 | $162,530 |
| Virginia | 3,870 | 1.02 | 0.81 | $77.34 | $160,870 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 5,660 | 5.19 | 4.11 | $90.63 | $188,510 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division | 5,510 | 1.24 | 0.99 | $80.63 | $167,720 |
| New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 4,590 | 0.69 | 0.54 | $80.81 | $168,070 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division | 4,260 | 2.32 | 1.83 | $71.47 | $148,670 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 4,170 | 1.42 | 1.13 | $92.29 | $191,970 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 4,120 | 1.64 | 1.30 | $78.99 | $164,290 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 3,660 | 1.40 | 1.11 | $67.95 | $141,330 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 3,620 | 1.87 | 1.48 | $70.72 | $147,100 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3,600 | 3.11 | 2.46 | $78.05 | $162,340 |
| Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA Metropolitan Division | 3,310 | 2.05 | 1.62 | $76.70 | $159,530 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, MA-NH NECTA Division | 860 | 5.54 | 4.39 | $77.49 | $161,190 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 590 | 5.33 | 4.22 | $75.00 | $156,000 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 5,660 | 5.19 | 4.11 | $90.63 | $188,510 |
| Framingham, MA NECTA Division | 820 | 4.76 | 3.77 | $83.52 | $173,730 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 300 | 4.59 | 3.64 | $57.49 | $119,580 |
| California-Lexington Park, MD | 200 | 4.49 | 3.56 | $72.71 | $151,230 |
| Jackson, MI | 260 | 4.43 | 3.51 | $70.77 | $147,200 |
| Nashua, NH-MA NECTA Division | 560 | 4.26 | 3.38 | $79.04 | $164,410 |
| Huntsville, AL | 910 | 4.11 | 3.25 | $72.34 | $150,480 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 200 | 3.18 | 2.52 | $68.54 | $142,570 |
Top paying metropolitan areas for this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 4,170 | 1.42 | 1.13 | $92.29 | $191,970 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 140 | 1.03 | 0.82 | $92.21 | $191,790 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 5,660 | 5.19 | 4.11 | $90.63 | $188,510 |
| Taunton-Middleborough-Norton, MA NECTA Division | 130 | 2.18 | 1.73 | $86.44 | $179,790 |
| Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division | 2,590 | 2.27 | 1.80 | $85.33 | $177,500 |
| Boulder, CO | 550 | 3.09 | 2.44 | $85.32 | $177,460 |
| Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division | 380 | 0.72 | 0.57 | $84.77 | $176,320 |
| Midland, TX | 190 | 2.13 | 1.69 | $83.76 | $174,210 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 2,060 | 1.42 | 1.13 | $83.58 | $173,860 |
| Framingham, MA NECTA Division | 820 | 4.76 | 3.77 | $83.52 | $173,730 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | 320 | 1.25 | 0.99 | $54.47 | $113,300 |
| Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | 260 | 0.94 | 0.74 | $51.64 | $107,410 |
| Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | 260 | 1.21 | 0.96 | $51.62 | $107,360 |
| Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | 260 | 1.44 | 1.14 | $79.56 | $165,490 |
| North Northeastern Ohio non-metropolitan area (non-contiguous) | 240 | 0.73 | 0.58 | $54.91 | $114,220 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Alamos County, New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | 200 | 12.16 | 9.63 | $81.72 | $169,970 |
| Central Utah nonmetropolitan area | 30 | 1.48 | 1.17 | $53.95 | $112,220 |
| Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | 260 | 1.44 | 1.14 | $79.56 | $165,490 |
| Northwest Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | 40 | 1.39 | 1.10 | $47.28 | $98,350 |
| Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | 70 | 1.35 | 1.07 | $66.53 | $138,380 |
Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Alamos County, New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | 200 | 12.16 | 9.63 | $81.72 | $169,970 |
| Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | 40 | 0.50 | 0.40 | $80.01 | $166,430 |
| Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | 260 | 1.44 | 1.14 | $79.56 | $165,490 |
| West Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 180 | 0.92 | 0.73 | $78.90 | $164,120 |
| North Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 90 | 0.32 | 0.25 | $75.10 | $156,210 |
These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia. The top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.
The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate--50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.
(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
(5) This wage is equal to or greater than $100.00 per hour or $208,000 per year.
(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.
Other OES estimates and related information:
May 2017 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2017 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2017 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2017 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
Last Modified Date: March 30, 2018