How to become an architectural and engineering manager
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most of these occupations require graduate school. for example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a ph.d., m.d., or j.d. (law degree)..Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
What architectural and engineering managers do
- Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
- Present and explain proposals, reports, or findings to clients.
- Confer with management, production, or marketing staff to discuss project specifications or procedures.
- Establish scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management.
- Direct recruitment, placement, and evaluation of architecture or engineering project staff.
- Perform administrative functions, such as reviewing or writing reports, approving expenditures, enforcing rules, or purchasing of materials or services.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Is architectural and engineering manager a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 236% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- New Mexico $215,120
- California $210,280
- Massachusetts $201,430
- Washington $189,680
- District of Columbia $185,220
Architectural and Engineering Managers salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.