Work Environment
Architectural and engineering managers held about 197,800 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of architectural and engineering managers were as follows:
- Manufacturing - 34%
- Architectural, engineering, and related services - 27%
- Government - 9%
- Scientific research and development services - 6%
- Management of companies and enterprises - 5%
Most architectural and engineering managers work in offices, although some may also work in research laboratories and industrial production plants or at construction sites.
Work Schedules
Most architectural and engineering managers work full time and some work more than 40 hours a week. These managers are often under considerable pressure to meet deadlines and budgets.
Job Outlook
Employment of architectural and engineering managers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 14,700 openings for architectural and engineering managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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 growth of the industries in which these managers are employed. Demand for civil engineering services is expected to continue as the nation’s aging infrastructure requires expansion and repair. Mechanical and electrical engineering services should also be needed for projects such as wind turbine farms and other renewable energy construction and design.
Earnings
The median annual wage for architectural and engineering managers was $152,350 in May 2021. 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 $99,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,000.
In May 2021, 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 - $187,240
- Management of companies and enterprises - $164,060
- Manufacturing - $151,890
- Architectural, engineering, and related services - $151,870
- Government - $135,150
In addition, some architectural and engineering managers may receive more benefits—such as expense accounts and bonuses—than workers who are not managers.
Most architectural and engineering managers work full time and some work more than 40 hours a week. These managers are often under considerable pressure to meet deadlines and budgets.
