Architectural and Engineering Managers Salary
The median pay for a architectural and engineering managers in North Carolina is $167,840/year ($80.69/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $122K at the entry level to $231K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $181,135 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 12.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $168K get you in North Carolina?
About architectural and engineering managers
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Architectural and engineering managers pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $168K locally vs. $171K nationwide, a 2% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 13.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level architectural and engineering managers (10th percentile) start around $122K. Mid-career wages sit at $168K. Top earners bring in $231K or more, a $109K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Engineering Managers salary by metro in North Carolina
13 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $172K | +3% | 860 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $171K | +2% | 200 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $170K | +1% | 1,830 |
| Wilmington | $170K | +1% | 190 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $170K | +1% | 1,850 |
| Greenville | $164K | -3% | 100 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $162K | -4% | 530 |
| Asheville | $160K | -5% | 200 |
| Fayetteville | $160K | -5% | 80 |
| Winston-Salem | $155K | -8% | 200 |
| Rocky Mount | $155K | -8% | 60 |
| Jacksonville | $155K | -8% | 30 |
| Burlington | $150K | -11% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $168K, rent takes 13.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for architectural and engineering managers in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and engineering managers typically earn — is $122K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $7,314/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 18% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is architectural and engineering manager a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $168K locally vs. $171K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for architectural and engineering managers?
North Carolina pays $168K median vs. the U.S. average of $171K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $181K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do architectural and engineering managers make in North Carolina?
The median is $167,840 a year, that works out to about $81 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $121,900, and experienced architectural and engineering managers can clear $231,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $168K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,827/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 13.1% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median architectural and engineering managers salary is worth about $181,135 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.