Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Seattle, WA
Architectural and Engineering Managers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $204,340 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $152,123 take-home, or $12,677 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and engineering manager salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$37,776
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,002
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$152,123
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Architectural and Engineering Manager pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $158,330 | $76.12 | $119,485 | $9,957 |
| 25th percentile | $171,360 | $82.38 | $128,391 | $10,699 |
| Median (50th) | $204,340 | $98.24 | $152,123 | $12,677 |
| 75th percentile | $219,300 | $105.43 | $163,027 | $13,586 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $265,340+ | $127.57 | $193,253 | $16,104 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $204,340 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median architectural and engineering manager's $152,123 take-home pay has the buying power of $136,884 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 1.5× 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
Seattle, WA ranks #2 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and engineering manager make in Seattle, WA?
The median architectural and engineering manager salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $204,340 a year, or about $98.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $171,360 and $219,300.
What is a architectural and engineering manager’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $204,340 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $152,123 a year ($12,677 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a architectural and engineering manager?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $171,270. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $136,884 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #2 of 20 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 16% 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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