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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Architectural and engineering managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

For terms and definitions in this profile, see definitions of major terms.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2025, work was controlled by people for less than 5 percent of architectural and engineering managers. Work was self-paced for 97.8 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of architectural and engineering managers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Work schedule varies	11.4	88.6
Ability to pause work (and take brief unscheduled breaks)	>95	<5
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework routinely allowed	53.0	47.0
Supervising others	>80	<20
Supervisor present in immediate work area	18.4	81.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs. The time associated with these requirements is combined to calculate the specific vocational preparation level needed for the job.

In 2025, prior work experience was required for greater than 99.5 percent of architectural and engineering managers and on-the-job training was required for 25.8 percent.

A bachelor's degree was required for 98.4 percent of architectural and engineering managers.

Environmental conditions

The various hazards or difficulties that are in the area where workers perform their critical tasks.

In 2025, a quiet noise exposure was present for 31.5 percent of architectural and engineering managers. Another 68.5 percent were exposed to moderate noise, less than 0.5 percent were exposed to loud noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by 9.0 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure and was not used by 91.0 percent.

Physical demands

The physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2025, speaking was required for greater than 99.5 percent of architectural and engineering managers and was not required for less than 0.5 percent. For less than 0.5 percent of workers, speaking was seldom required, for 29.4 percent speaking was occasionally required, for 70.6 percent speaking was frequently required, and for less than 0.5 percent speaking was required constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 8.5 percent of architectural and engineering managers and was not required for 91.5 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 91.4 percent of architectural and engineering managers. On average, workers spent 86.5 percent of the workday sitting and 13.5 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of architectural and engineering managers with physical demands, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Ability to choose to sit or stand for tasks	91.4	8.6
Driving	31.1	68.9
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	2.0	98.0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey