California Median
$210,280
per year
Hourly Rate
$101.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $171,270
State Rank
#2 of 51
29,630 employed here
How much do Architectural and Engineering Managers make in California?
Architectural and Engineering Managers in California take home a median of $210,280 annually — roughly $101.10 an hour — which runs 23% above the national median of $171,270.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $137,900 while the top 10% make $296,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $169,140 and $251,890 a year.
Architectural and Engineering Managers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $137,900 | $66.30 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $169,140 | $81.32 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $210,280 | $101.10 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $251,890 | $121.10 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $296,130 | $142.37 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Architectural and Engineering Managers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Architectural and Engineering Managers salary in other states
New Mexico $215,120Massachusetts $201,430Washington $189,680District of Columbia $185,220Colorado $183,810Delaware $181,190New Jersey $180,640Oregon $177,190Virginia $176,160Rhode Island $175,910New York $175,710Connecticut $175,490Maryland $172,670New Hampshire $172,240Minnesota $172,130Texas $171,370Florida $170,740South Carolina $169,040North Carolina $167,840Arizona $167,480Michigan $166,930Ohio $166,870Pennsylvania $164,690South Dakota $164,330Alaska $164,260Illinois $163,610Wyoming $163,560Idaho $162,970Louisiana $162,850Alabama $162,350Nevada $161,560Georgia $161,470Tennessee $161,430Utah $161,120Kansas $160,150Missouri $157,800Vermont $157,710Oklahoma $157,330Indiana $155,810Hawaii $151,670West Virginia $149,430Kentucky $147,680North Dakota $147,400Iowa $147,320Montana $146,030Maine $145,720Mississippi $142,790Wisconsin $142,060Nebraska $141,020Arkansas $140,600
Working as Architectural and Engineering Managers in California
Nationally, about 220,000 people work as Architectural and Engineering Managers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($210,280) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Architectural and Engineering Managers make in California?
The median Architectural and Engineering Managers salary in California is $210,280 per year, or about $101.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $137,900 at the entry level to $296,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Architectural and Engineering Managers about 23% more than the national median of $171,270. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $210,280 a year. About 29,630 Architectural and Engineering Managers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Architectural and Engineering Managers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.