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Architectural and Engineering Managers

Summary

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Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk8FC3fPMpU.
Quick Facts: Architectural and Engineering Managers
2023 Median Pay $165,370 per year
$79.50 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation 5 years or more
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2023 210,200
Job Outlook, 2023-33 6% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2023-33 11,600

What Architectural and Engineering Managers Do

Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in the fields of architecture and engineering.

Work Environment

Architectural and engineering managers typically work in offices, although some work in other settings, such as research laboratories or industrial production plants. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours a week.

How to Become an Architectural or Engineering Manager

To enter the occupation, architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and considerable work experience as an architect or engineer.

Pay

The median annual wage for architectural and engineering managers was $165,370 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Employment of architectural and engineering managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 15,000 openings for architectural and engineering managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for architectural and engineering managers.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of architectural and engineering managers with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about architectural and engineering managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Architectural and Engineering Managers Do About this section

Architectural and engineering managers
Architectural and engineering managers assign workers specific parts of a project to carry out.

Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in the fields of architecture and engineering.

Duties

Architectural and engineering managers typically do the following:

  • Make detailed plans to research and develop products, processes, or designs
  • Determine staff, training, and equipment needs
  • Propose budgets for projects and programs
  • Hire and supervise staff
  • Oversee research and development projects, including directing staff output and quality
  • Coordinate work and collaborate with other staff and managers

Architectural and engineering managers use their knowledge of architecture or engineering to oversee a variety of activities. They may direct and coordinate construction or manufacturing related to production, operations, quality assurance, testing, or maintenance.

As part of their oversight responsibilities, architectural and engineering managers set goals and develop detailed plans, including production schedules. They also prepare budgets for projects, staff, and equipment needs. In this way, managers anticipate problems that may arise and which might otherwise hinder a project’s completion.

Architectural and engineering managers hire staff and assign them to carry out specific parts of a project. They also supervise employees’ work, which may include collaborating with other organizations, to monitor the project’s quality and progress through completion.

Work Environment About this section

Architectural and engineering managers
Architectural and engineering managers frequently work in groups.

Architectural and engineering managers held about 210,200 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of architectural and engineering managers were as follows:

Manufacturing 36%
Architectural, engineering, and related services 26
Government 8
Scientific research and development services 6
Management of companies and enterprises 5

Most architectural and engineering managers work in offices. Some work in settings such as research laboratories or industrial production plants. These managers may work in groups and supervise other staff members, such as architects and engineers. They are often under pressure to meet deadlines and budgets.

Work Schedules

Most architectural and engineering managers work full time. Working more than 40 hours a week is common, especially when meeting deadlines.

How to Become an Architectural or Engineering Manager About this section

Architectural and engineering managers
Architectural and engineering managers advance to their positions after years of employment as an architect or engineer.

To enter the occupation, architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and considerable work experience as an architect or engineer.

Education

Architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or architecture.

Bachelor’s degree programs in architecture and engineering usually include coursework in mathematics and physical sciences. In addition, architecture programs may include courses such as architectural history and theory, computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), and construction methods; these programs take about 5 years to complete. Engineering programs vary by concentration and often take about 4 years of classroom, laboratory, and field studies in engineering principles and systems. 

Architectural and engineering managers or prospective managers may complete a master’s degree in engineering management (MEM or MsEM), technology management (MSTM), or business administration (MBA). Some earn their master’s degree before entering a management position; others earn it while working as a manager. Typically, those who prefer to manage in technical areas pursue an MsEM or MSTM, and those interested in general management skills earn an MBA.

Engineering and technology management programs include courses such as accounting, marketing, and finance that focus on the particular field. Programs in engineering management also include coursework in supply chain management and product development. Programs in technology management include courses in information security and systems development.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Architectural and engineering managers typically do not need a license. However, these managers may advance from other occupations that do require licensure. For example, all states require architects to be licensed, and some engineers obtain a professional engineering (PE) license. Contact your state licensing board for more information.

Some managers choose to earn certification. For example, certification in technology management is available from the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Architectural and engineering managers typically advance to their positions after years of experience as an architect or engineer. In those positions, they may have worked on complex projects, developed designs, solved problems, and led teams.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Architectural and engineering managers evaluate information to solve problems.

Communication skills. Architectural and engineering managers must effectively convey information and expectations related to projects.

Interpersonal skills. Architectural and engineering managers must be able to collaborate with other staff to meet deadlines and achieve goals.

Leadership skills. Architectural and engineering managers lead teams, which requires an ability to organize, direct, and motivate others.

Math skills. Architectural and engineering managers use calculus and other mathematics to develop new products and processes.

Organizational skills. Architectural and engineering managers keep track of many workers, schedules, and budgets simultaneously.

Pay About this section

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Median annual wages, May 2023

Architectural and engineering managers

$165,370

Other management occupations

$102,510

Total, all occupations

$48,060

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

The median annual wage for architectural and engineering managers was $165,370 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $107,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $233,590.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for architectural and engineering managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Scientific research and development services $191,510
Management of companies and enterprises 173,000
Manufacturing 165,650
Architectural, engineering, and related services 160,240
Government 148,820

Most architectural and engineering managers work full time. Working more than 40 hours a week is common, especially when meeting deadlines.

Job Outlook About this section

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Percent change in employment, projected 2023-33

Other management occupations

6%

Architectural and engineering managers

6%

Total, all occupations

4%

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Employment of architectural and engineering managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 15,000 openings for architectural and engineering managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Employment growth will largely reflect the overall demand for architectural and engineering workers. Demand for civil engineering services is expected to continue as the nation’s aging infrastructure requires repair and as the electrical grid requires updates and expansion. These managers also should be needed for projects such as renewable energy construction and design.

Employment projections data for architectural and engineering managers, 2023-33
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2023 Projected Employment, 2033 Change, 2023-33 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Architectural and engineering managers

 11-9041 210,200 221,800 6 11,600 Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of architectural and engineering managers.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2023 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Aerospace engineers Aerospace Engineers

Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.

 Bachelor's degree $130,720
Architects Architects

Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.

 Bachelor's degree $93,310
Civil engineers Civil Engineers

Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.

 Bachelor's degree $95,890
Construction managers Construction Managers

Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.

 Bachelor's degree $104,900
Electrical and electronics engineers Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment.

 Bachelor's degree $109,010
Industrial engineers Industrial Engineers

Industrial engineers design, develop, and test integrated systems for managing industrial production processes.

 Bachelor's degree $99,380
Industrial production managers Industrial Production Managers

Industrial production managers oversee the operations of manufacturing and related plants.

 Bachelor's degree $116,970
Materials engineers Materials Engineers

Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a wide range of products.

 Bachelor's degree $104,100
Mechanical engineers Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.

 Bachelor's degree $99,510
Nuclear engineers Nuclear Engineers

Nuclear engineers research and develop projects or address problems concerning the release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.

 Bachelor's degree $125,460

Contacts for More Information About this section

For information on architecture and engineering management programs, visit

ABET

American Institute of Architects

Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering

Occupational Requirements Survey

For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see

Architectural and engineering managers (PDF)

CareerOneStop

For a career video on architectural and engineering managers, visit

Architectural and engineering managers

O*NET

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Architectural and Engineering Managers,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/architectural-and-engineering-managers.htm (visited November 18, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Thursday, August 29, 2024

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2023

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2023, which is the base year of the 2023-33 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2023-33

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.

Employment Change, 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.