Architectural and Engineering Managers vs Construction Managers: $171K vs $115K Median Pay

Architectural and Engineering Managers vs Construction Managers: what changes?

Consider Architectural and Engineering Managers if you want to plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields. Consider Construction Managers if you would rather plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately. Prior experience in a related occupation is typically needed for Architectural and Engineering Managers (5 years or more).

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Architectural and Engineering Managers and Construction Managers. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Architectural and Engineering Managers

National median pay (2025): $171,270
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: 5 years or more
Prior related experience: Prior related experience: 5 years or more.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 14,900

Know before you choose

BLS lists 5 years or more of related experience. This is normally reached through feeder roles, not directly from school.

See the full Architectural and Engineering Managers brief

Construction Managers

National median pay (2025): $114,990
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 49,700

Know before you choose

Deadline pressure is a recurring condition rather than an occasional emergency.

See the full Construction Managers brief

How the national numbers differ

Construction Managers has the edge on annual openings

Construction Managers is at 49,700 annual openings, compared with 14,900 annual openings for Architectural and Engineering Managers.

Construction Managers has the edge on projected growth

Construction Managers is at 9.1% projected growth, compared with 5.5% projected growth for Architectural and Engineering Managers.

Typical preparation differs.

Architectural and Engineering Managers: Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: 5 years or more Construction Managers: Bachelor's degree; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.

Architectural and Engineering Managers has the edge on median pay

Architectural and Engineering Managers is at $171,270, compared with $114,990 for Construction Managers.

70.7/ 100

Architectural and Engineering Managers

79.6/ 100

Construction Managers

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Architectural and Engineering Managers vs Construction Managers

Dimension	Architectural and Engineering Managers	Construction Managers
Median pay (2025)	$171,270	$114,990
Pay percentile	96.6 percentile	88.8 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	5.5%	9.1%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	14,900	49,700
2025 employment	220,900	609,100
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: 5 years or more	Bachelor's degree; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 5	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	Prior related experience: 5 years or more.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Architectural and Engineering Managers brief Read Construction Managers brief

Architectural and Engineering Managers vs Construction Managers: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Construction Managers

How the national numbers differ

Construction Managers has the edge on annual openings

Construction Managers has the edge on projected growth

Typical preparation differs.

Architectural and Engineering Managers has the edge on median pay

Architectural and Engineering Managers vs Construction Managers

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