Engineering Section Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Engineering Section Manager make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineering Section Manager in the United States is $128,922 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $148,086
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $118,151 to $138,953
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $108,345
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View as table View as graph 25% $118,151 10% $108,345 90% $148,086 75% $138,953 $128,922 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Engineering Section Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $138,953 $11,579 $2,672 $67
Average $128,922 $10,744 $2,479 $62
25th Percentile $118,151 $9,846 $2,272 $57
Check out Engineering Section Manager Job Openings in the United States
Software Engineering Manager

Central Point Partners - Columbus, OH

Engineering and Maintenance Manager

Worthington Enterprises - Jefferson, OH

Chief Engineering Manager

Crown Equipment Corporation - New Bremen, OH

Structural Engineering Manager

Jedson Engineering - Cincinnati, OH

Search More Engineering Section Manager Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Engineering Section Manager Salaries

An Engineering Section 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 Engineering Section Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Engineering Section 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $125,182
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $125,930
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $127,426
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $132,871
  • Expert (over 8 years): $135,752
Levels Salary
Entry Level Engineering Section Manager$125,182
Intermediate Level Engineering Section Manager$125,930
Senior Level Engineering Section Manager$127,426
Specialist Level Engineering Section Manager$132,871
Expert Level Engineering Section Manager$135,752
$125,182 0 yr
$125,930 < 2 yrs
$127,426 2-4 yrs
$132,871 5-8 yrs
$135,752 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Engineering Section Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Section Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $142,742.
  • California: $142,201.
  • Massachusetts: $140,306.

Top Paying Cities for Engineering Section 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: $162,609
  • San Francisco: $161,011
  • Oakland: $157,440

What Skills Can Increase an Engineering Section Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 3% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Docker (Mentioned in 3.36% Job Postings): Building, running, and managing containers to deliver software quickly on various platforms.
  • Prototyping (Mentioned in 1.8% Job Postings): Creating a sample product that may be tested to discover potential problems and avoid mistakes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 3%
Docker 3.36%
Prototyping 1.8%
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 an Engineering Section Manager's salary.
  • Data Privacy: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Privacy
$136,657
6%
Networking
$135,368
5%
Presentation
$134,079
4%
Design Thinking
$131,500
2%
Digital Transformation
$131,500
2%
Project Planning
$131,500
2%
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How Education impacts an Engineering Section Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineering Section 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 Section Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,873 and $124,446).

Engineering Section Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineering Section Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 2.1%
Associates 1.5%
Bachelors 55.5%
Masters 39.1%
Doctorate 1.5%
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Engineering Section Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Engineering Section 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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Engineering Section Manager

Salaries for an Engineering Section Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $119,062 in 2023 to around $117,225 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Engineering Section Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Engineering Section Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$119,062
2024
$118,480
2025
$117,225
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $119,062
2024 $118,480
2025 $117,225
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Engineering Section Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Engineering Section Manager

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

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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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