Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Washington, DC
Architectural and Engineering Managers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $185,220 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $125,133 take-home, or $10,428 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and engineering manager salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$33,187
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,686
- District of Columbia income tax$12,775
- Take-home pay$125,133
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Architectural and Engineering Manager pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $138,180 | $66.43 | $96,935 | $8,078 |
| 25th percentile | $161,470 | $77.63 | $110,874 | $9,240 |
| Median (50th) | $185,220 | $89.05 | $125,133 | $10,428 |
| 75th percentile | $215,010 | $103.37 | $144,675 | $12,056 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $259,680+ | $124.85 | $170,433 | $14,203 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $185,220 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% 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 $125,133 take-home pay has the buying power of $114,924 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.2× 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
Washington, DC ranks #15 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 |
| 15 | Washington, DC | $185,220 | $125,133 | $114,924 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median architectural and engineering manager salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $185,220 a year, or about $89.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $161,470 and $215,010.
What is a architectural and engineering manager’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $185,220 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $125,133 a year ($10,428 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $12,775 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a architectural and engineering manager?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $171,270. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $114,924 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #15 of 20 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 19% 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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