Engineering Manager salary

Q: How much does an engineering manager make?

The median engineering manager salary in the U.S. is about $165,370 per year. Most engineering managers earn between $102,910 and $239,200, and top earners (90th percentile) make $239,200 or more. These national figures come from published U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS OEWS) wage data.

Q: How much do entry-level engineering managers make?

Entry-level engineering managers (0–2 years) earn about $129,000 per year, rising to roughly $178,500 at mid-level and $223,000+ at the principal/staff level. These by-experience figures are modeled estimates based on typical engineering career progression.

Q: Do engineering managers make good money?

Yes. The median engineering manager salary of $165,370 is 42% above the roughly $116,537 median across engineering occupations, and experienced engineering managers can earn $239,200 or more.

Q: Which cities pay engineering managers the most?

Estimated engineering manager pay is highest in San Jose ($244,748), San Francisco ($234,825), Seattle ($214,981). These are cost-of-labor estimates that adjust the national baseline by local wage levels — not direct BLS metro wages.

Verified

Updated January 2025

Engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architecture and engineering, leading teams and owning technical delivery.

Median pay

$165,370

U.S. typical

Top earners

$239,200

90th percentile

Entry level

$129,000

0–2 yrs

Senior

$223,000

15+ yrs

The median engineering manager salary in the U.S. is about $165,370 per year. Entry-level pay starts near $102,910, while top earners (90th percentile) make $239,200 or more. Add your city and experience for a sharper, local number.

Median annual wage

$165,370

Mean

$175,450

10th pct · $102,91090th pct · $239,200

What engineering managers do

Set technical direction, manage engineers and budgets, coordinate projects, and own hiring and delivery outcomes.

Engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architecture and engineering, leading teams and owning technical delivery.

What affects engineering manager pay

▹Team size and scope of responsibility
▹Industry (tech and oil & gas pay above average)
▹Years of management experience
▹Equity and bonus (large at senior levels in tech)
▹Metro cost of labor

Engineering Manager salary by experience

Pay typically climbs from about $129,000 for entry level engineers to $223,000+ at the principal / staff level.

Entry level 0–2 yrs

$129,000

Early career 3–5 yrs

$155,500

Mid level 6–9 yrs

$178,500

Senior 10–14 yrs

$202,000

Principal / Staff 15+ yrs

$223,000

Your actual offer depends on company, location, and specialization — run the calculator for a tailored range.

Highest-paying cities for engineering managers

Estimated engineering manager pay in the top-paying metros, vs the national median.

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Metro	State	Median	90th pct	vs U.S.	Data
San Jose California	CA	$244,748	$354,016	+48%	Estimate
San Francisco California	CA	$234,825	$339,664	+42%	Estimate
Seattle Washington	WA	$214,981	$310,960	+30%	Estimate
New York City New York	NY	$208,366	$301,392	+26%	Estimate
Boston Massachusetts	MA	$201,751	$291,824	+22%	Estimate
Washington, D.C. District of Columbia	DC	$198,444	$287,040	+20%	Estimate
Los Angeles California	CA	$195,137	$282,256	+18%	Estimate
San Diego California	CA	$190,175	$275,080	+15%	Estimate

Engineering Manager salary by state

State	Est. median	Est. 90th pct
California	$205,059	$296,608
Texas	$171,985	$248,768
New York	$188,522	$272,688
Washington	$195,137	$282,256
Massachusetts	$191,829	$277,472

State figures are estimates — open a state for its full city-by-city breakdown.

Engineering Manager salary — frequently asked questions

How much does an engineering manager make?

The median engineering manager salary in the U.S. is about $165,370 per year. Most engineering managers earn between $102,910 and $239,200, and top earners (90th percentile) make $239,200 or more. These national figures come from published U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS OEWS) wage data.

What is the highest engineering manager salary?

Top-earning engineering managers (90th percentile) make about $239,200 or more nationally. In the highest-paying metros, estimated pay can run even higher — for example around $244,748 in San Jose. Metro figures are cost-of-labor estimates, not direct BLS metro data.

How much do entry-level engineering managers make?

Entry-level engineering managers (0–2 years) earn about $129,000 per year, rising to roughly $178,500 at mid-level and $223,000+ at the principal/staff level. These by-experience figures are modeled estimates based on typical engineering career progression.

Do engineering managers make good money?

Yes. The median engineering manager salary of $165,370 is 42% above the roughly $116,537 median across engineering occupations, and experienced engineering managers can earn $239,200 or more.

Which cities pay engineering managers the most?

Estimated engineering manager pay is highest in San Jose ($244,748), San Francisco ($234,825), and Seattle ($214,981). These are cost-of-labor estimates that adjust the national baseline by local wage levels — not direct BLS metro wages.

How can an engineering manager earn more?

Engineering Manager pay rises most with team size and scope of responsibility, industry (tech and oil & gas pay above average), and years of management experience. Moving to a higher-cost metro, specializing, and taking on senior or lead scope are the biggest levers — the salary calculator lets you model each one.

Source details

National wage from BLS OEWS May 2024 for SOC 11-9041. Median and 90th-percentile annual wages.

Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →