Architectural and engineering managers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Architectural and engineering managers in the United States earn a median salary of $171,270 per year — about $82 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 213K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +4%.
AI & Automation Risk
This occupation is predominantly knowledge-based and digital, involving project planning, budgeting, and technical oversight that can be significantly enhanced by AI tools. While the role requires high-level human judgment, leadership, and physical site visits, the core tasks of analyzing technical data, scheduling, and coordinating complex engineering workflows are highly susceptible to AI-driven productivity gains and automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, ILBEST VALUE | $212,820 | Below avg (88.8) | $239,570 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $215,120 | Below avg (93.6) | $229,763 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $191,250 | Below avg (87.1) | $219,613 |
| Rapid City, SD | $196,800 | Below avg (90.3) | $217,947 |
| Rochester, MN | $201,420 | Below avg (93.0) | $216,678 |
| Decatur, IL | $183,860 | Below avg (86.7) | $212,160 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $197,570 | Below avg (93.5) | $211,273 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $195,350 | Below avg (94.1) | $207,678 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $234,590 | Above avg (113.1) | $207,493 |
| Boulder, CO | $203,420 | Average (100.6) | $202,179 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $199,380 | Average (98.9) | $201,628 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $212,050 | Above avg (105.6) | $200,763 |
| Columbus, IN | $180,830 | Below avg (90.2) | $200,403 |
| Dothan, AL | $174,110 | Below avg (87.4) | $199,302 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $175,030 | Below avg (89.2) | $196,303 |