Architectural and Engineering Managers salary in California
Architectural and Engineering Managers in California earn a median of $210,280 a year ($101.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 29,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $137,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $296,130 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $171,270. California ranks 2nd of 51 states for architectural and engineering managers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.6 architectural and engineering managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $213,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architectural and engineering managers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $137,900 | $66.30 |
| 25th percentile | $169,140 | $81.32 |
| Median | $210,280 | $101.10 |
| 75th percentile | $251,890 | $121.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $296,130 | $142.37 |
| Average (mean) | $213,110 | $102.46 |
Half of architectural and engineering managers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $17,523.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,761.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,087.69 |
| Weekly | $4,043.85 |
| Hourly | $101.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Architectural and Engineering Managers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $234,590 | 5,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $221,580 | 5,000 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $213,070 | 180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $207,900 | 340 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $207,140 | 190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $206,880 | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $202,810 | 3,270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $193,970 | 1,570 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $190,900 | 9,570 |
| Vallejo, CA | $189,360 | 110 |
| Salinas, CA | $187,730 | 70 |
| Redding, CA | $184,720 | 50 |
| Yuba City, CA | $184,720 | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $179,980 | 220 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $179,760 | 540 |
| Fresno, CA | $175,530 | 190 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $172,600 | 1,160 |
| El Centro, CA | $172,460 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $169,090 | 190 |
| Modesto, CA | $163,680 | 90 |
| Visalia, CA | $154,630 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for architectural and engineering managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $215,120 |
| California | $210,280 |
| Massachusetts | $201,430 |
| Washington | $189,680 |
| District of Columbia | $185,220 |
| Colorado | $183,810 |
| Delaware | $181,190 |
| New Jersey | $180,640 |
| Oregon | $177,190 |
| Virginia | $176,160 |
See Architectural and Engineering Managers pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $174,560 | $83.92 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $141,480 | $68.02 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $77,030 | $37.04 |
| Construction Manager | $133,160 | $64.02 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $83,210 | $40.01 |
| Food Service Manager | $78,260 | $37.63 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $159,950 | — |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $210,230 | $101.07 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Lodging Manager | $76,950 | $37.00 |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | $77,840 | $37.42 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and engineering managers make in California?
The median salary for architectural and engineering managers in California is $210,280 a year, or $101.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $137,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $296,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architectural and engineering managers make in California?
The top 10% of architectural and engineering managers in California earn at least $296,130 a year. The top 25% earn $251,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for architectural and engineering managers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $137,900 a year, and a quarter of architectural and engineering managers earn $169,140 or less.
How many architectural and engineering managers work in California?
About 29,630 architectural and engineering managers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.