Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in San Jose, CA
Architectural and Engineering Managers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median $234,590 a year — 37% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $152,428 take-home, or $12,702 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and engineering manager salary in San Jose, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$46,373
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,713
- California income tax$17,587
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$3,050
- Take-home pay$152,428
Marginal rate: 32% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Architectural and Engineering Manager pay by experience in San Jose, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $174,850 | $84.06 | $116,471 | $9,706 |
| 25th percentile | $214,320 | $103.04 | $140,985 | $11,749 |
| Median (50th) | $234,590 | $112.78 | $152,428 | $12,702 |
| 75th percentile | $292,250+ | $140.50 | $183,572 | $15,298 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $318,400+ | $153.08 | $197,184 | $16,432 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $234,590 buys in San Jose, CA
Prices in San Jose, CA are 10.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median architectural and engineering manager's $152,428 take-home pay has the buying power of $138,040 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Jose, CA has 3.2× the national concentration of architectural and engineering manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for architectural and engineering managers, adjusted for cost of living
San Jose, CA ranks #1 of 20 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $234,590 | $152,428 | $138,040 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $204,340 | $152,123 | $136,884 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $176,540 | $131,931 | $134,533 |
| 4 | Cincinnati, OH | $177,160 | $128,265 | $134,492 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $205,130 | $142,669 | $131,776 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $172,020 | $128,842 | $130,633 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $191,440 | $134,831 | $127,461 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $221,580 | $145,266 | $125,649 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 20 metros →
About the job: architectural and engineering managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.5% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries elsewhere in California
- San Francisco, CA — $221,580
- San Diego, CA — $202,810
- Los Angeles, CA — $190,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and engineering manager make in San Jose, CA?
The median architectural and engineering manager salary in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $234,590 a year, or about $112.78 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $214,320 and $239,200+.
What is a architectural and engineering manager’s take-home pay in San Jose, CA?
On the median $234,590 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $152,428 a year ($12,702 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $20,637 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Jose, CA a good place to work as a architectural and engineering manager?
Pay here is 37% above the national median of $171,270. Local prices are 10.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $138,040 would in a typical U.S. city. San Jose, CA ranks #1 of 20 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford rent in San Jose, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Jose, CA is $2,957 a month ($3,464 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median architectural and engineering manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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