How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do architectural and engineering managers make?

The US median is $171,270 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train for this work?

1,038 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Architectural and engineering managers: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Management · SOC 11-9041

$171,270US median pay, 2025

+5.5%Projected growth, 2025–35

14,900Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
5 years or more of experience in a related job
Work in: architectural and engineering managers

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Engineering, General	CIP 14.0101	439
Mechanical Engineering	CIP 14.1901	413
Electrical and Electronics Engineering	CIP 14.1001	408
Civil Engineering, General	CIP 14.0801	298
Computer Engineering, General	CIP 14.0901	294
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering	CIP 14.0501	234
Chemical Engineering	CIP 14.0701	183
Engineering/Industrial Management	CIP 15.1501	180
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering	CIP 14.1401	143
Industrial Engineering	CIP 14.3501	138
Computer Software Engineering	CIP 14.0903	131
City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning	CIP 04.0301	117
Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology	CIP 04.0902	115
Engineering Physics/Applied Physics	CIP 14.1201	110
Architecture	CIP 04.0201	108
Materials Engineering	CIP 14.1801	107
Engineering, Other	CIP 14.9999	105
Systems Engineering	CIP 14.2701	96
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General	CIP 14.0201	91
Engineering Science	CIP 14.1301	75
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering	CIP 14.4201	74
Manufacturing Engineering	CIP 14.3601	64
Landscape Architecture	CIP 04.0601	60
Construction Engineering	CIP 14.3301	48
Materials Science	CIP 40.1001	48

…and 45 more related programs.

See the 1,038 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do architectural and engineering managers make?: The US median is $171,270 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train for this work?: 1,038 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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