As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineering Manager in the United States is $156,227 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.
However, an Engineering Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An 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.
Experience is a primary driver of an 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Supervisor | 12+ years | $85,953 |
| Engineering Senior Supervisor | 12+ years | $128,332 |
| Engineering Manager | 12+ years | $156,227 |
| Engineering Senior Manager | 12+ years | $179,901 |
| Engineering Director | 12+ years | $200,995 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Engineering Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 10.73% |
| Python | 1.86% |
| AWS | 1.47% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Product Management
|
$174,974 |
12%
|
|
Identity and Access Management
|
$174,974 |
12%
|
|
Computer Science
|
$174,974 |
12%
|
|
Kubernetes
|
$174,974 |
12%
|
|
Software Engineering
|
$173,412 |
11%
|
|
Agile Software Development
|
$173,412 |
11%
|
Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $174,739. While startup companies pay approximate $147,777.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $147,777 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $156,297 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $168,744 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $174,739 |
For 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, Engineering Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $210,906 | $101.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $203,095 | $98.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $187,472 | $90.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $179,661 | $86.0 | 15% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $179,661 | $86.0 | 15% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 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 an Engineering Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $147,146 and $155,639).
Engineering Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how an 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 July 01, 2026Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an 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.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Aeronautical Engineering Senior Manager | $179,730 | 15% |
| Aerospace Engineering Senior Manager | $198,499 | 27% |
| Engineering Senior Manager | $179,901 | 15% |
Salaries for an Engineering Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $145,426 in 2023 to around $144,502 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Engineering Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $145,426 |
| 2024 | $145,694 |
| 2025 | $144,502 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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An Engineering Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Engineering Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Engineering Manager is $197,049.
The highest pay for Engineering Manager is $171,425.
The lowest pay for Engineering Manager is $121,327.
Manages an organization's engineering activities to develop or improve technical products, systems, or processes that meet specified requirements and standards. Manages engineering projects through their entire lifecycle, including cost and requirement analysis, scheduling, and coordinating activities with stakeholders. Monitors schedules and deadlines and prioritizes projects to ensure timely delivery and customer satisfaction. Establishes engineering methodologies, principles, and tools to support training, process improvements, and best practices and protocols. Leads initiatives with other departments to identify potential products, projects, or opportunities. Remains informed of new technologies and processes and implements changes to improve engineering capabilities. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineering Manager roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.
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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