Architectural and Engineering Managers Salary
The median pay for a architectural and engineering managers in District of Columbia is $185,220/year ($89.05/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $138K at the entry level to $225K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $170,114 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 20.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $185K get you in District of Columbia?
About architectural and engineering managers
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
Architectural and engineering managers pay in District of Columbia tracks closely to the national median, $185K locally vs. $171K nationwide, a 8% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,146/month, 20.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level architectural and engineering managers (10th percentile) start around $138K. Mid-career wages sit at $185K. Top earners bring in $225K or more, a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Engineering Managers salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $185K | +0% | 5,500 |
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Track architectural and engineering managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $185K, rent takes 20.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for architectural and engineering managers in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and engineering managers typically earn — is $138K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $8,308/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 26% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is architectural and engineering manager a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $185K locally vs. $171K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for architectural and engineering managers?
District of Columbia pays $185K median vs. the U.S. average of $171K — that’s +8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $170K — below the national median.
How much do architectural and engineering managers make in District of Columbia?
The median is $185,220 a year, that works out to about $89 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $138,470, and experienced architectural and engineering managers can clear $225,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $185K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,418/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 20.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a architectural and engineering managers salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median architectural and engineering managers salary is worth about $170,114 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do architectural and engineering managers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.