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General Engineering Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a General Engineering Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Engineering Manager in the United States is $156,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.

However, a General Engineering Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $171,393
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,000 to $164,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $121,339

Key Factors That Influence General Engineering Manager Salaries

A General Engineering Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects General Engineering Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Engineering Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • General Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $85,932
  • General Engineering Senior Supervisor (12+ years): $128,322
  • General Engineering Manager (12+ years): $156,220
  • General Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $179,917
  • General Engineering Director (12+ years): $201,016
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
General Engineering Supervisor12+ years$85,932
General Engineering Senior Supervisor12+ years$128,322
General Engineering Manager12+ years$156,220
General Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$179,917
General Engineering Director12+ years$201,016

Top Paying Cities for General Engineering Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $197,100
  • San Francisco: $194,900
  • Oakland: $190,800

What Skills Can Increase a General Engineering Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 10.73% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Python (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
  • AWS (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 10.73%
Python 1.86%
AWS 1.47%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a General Engineering Manager's salary.

  • Product Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Identity and Access Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Management $175,056
12%
Identity and Access Management $175,056
12%
Computer Science $175,056
12%

General Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

General Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $174,672. While startup companies pay approximate $147,755.

General Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $147,755
Growth Stage 51~500 $156,265
Established 501~5000 $168,668
Enterprise 5000+ $174,672

General Engineering Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Engineering Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, General Engineering Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Engineering Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$211,005$101.035%
Financial Services$203,190$98.030%
Energy & Utilities$187,560$90.020%
Biotechnology$179,745$86.015%
Pharmaceuticals$179,745$86.015%

How Education impacts a General Engineering Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Engineering Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a General Engineering Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $146,415 and $154,873).

General Engineering Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Engineering Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 2.7%
Associates 3.3%
Bachelors 43.7%
Masters 42.1%
Doctorate 8.0%

General Engineering Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Engineering Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$138,000
Average $156,300/year
$164,200
$11,500
Average $13,025/month
$13,683
$2,654
Average $3,006/week
$3,158
$66
Average $75/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $164,200 $13,683 $3,158 $79
Average $156,300 $13,025 $3,006 $75
25th Percentile $138,000 $11,500 $2,654 $66

General Engineering Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a General Engineering Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

General Engineering Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aviation Engineering Senior Manager $179,800 15%
Aerospace Aviation Engineering Senior Manager $198,600 27%
General Engineering Senior Manager $180,000 15%

Most common benefits for General Engineering Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for General Engineering Manager

Here are companies hiring for General Engineering Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about General Engineering Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for General Engineering Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for General Engineering Manager roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

2. Do engineering managers make more than senior engineers?

Engineering managers typically earn more than senior engineers. For instance, the salary range for a General Engineering Manager is between $141,400 and $170,900, with a mid-salary of $155,600. This indicates that engineering managers generally have a higher earning potential compared to senior engineers, reflecting their increased responsibilities and expertise.

3. How much does a level 7 make at GM?

A General Engineering Manager at GM typically earns between $141,400 and $170,900, with a mid-salary of $155,600. This range reflects the competitive compensation for this level within the company.

4. Do engineers make 500k a year?

While some engineers can earn up to $500k a year, it's more common for General Engineering Managers to have salaries ranging from $141,400 to $170,900, with a mid-salary of $155,600. Achieving higher compensation typically involves significant experience, leadership roles, and contributions to high-impact projects, especially in top tech companies.

5. Is general manager a high position?

Yes, a General Engineering Manager is considered a high position. They typically oversee multiple lower-level managers and play a crucial role in decision-making. While they may not be at the executive level, they earn a competitive salary ranging from $141,400 to $170,900, reflecting their significant responsibilities and expertise in the organization.

6. Do doctors or engineers make more money?

While specialist doctors may start with significantly higher salaries, engineers, particularly in managerial roles, can earn competitive salaries. For instance, a General Engineering Manager has a salary range from $141,400 to $170,900, with a midpoint of $155,600. This means that engineers can enjoy a strong financial position, especially in the early years of their careers.

7. How much does a GM engineering manager make?

The salary for a General Engineering Manager typically ranges from $141,400 to $170,900, with a mid-point salary of $155,600. This reflects the compensation structure for this role, which may vary based on experience and location.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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