Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Raleigh, NC
Architectural and Engineering Managers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $169,780 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $121,045 take-home, or $10,087 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and engineering manager salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$29,481
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,526
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,462
- North Carolina income tax$6,265
- Take-home pay$121,045
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.99% state
Architectural and Engineering Manager pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $127,890 | $61.49 | $94,085 | $7,840 |
| 25th percentile | $139,040 | $66.85 | $101,261 | $8,438 |
| Median (50th) | $169,780 | $81.63 | $121,045 | $10,087 |
| 75th percentile | $208,590 | $100.28 | $147,440 | $12,287 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $256,090+ | $123.12 | $177,471 | $14,789 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $169,780 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median architectural and engineering manager's $121,045 take-home pay has the buying power of $123,318 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.8× 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
Raleigh, NC ranks #39 of 82 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria, IL | $212,820 | $147,979 | $162,203 |
| 2 | Albuquerque, NM | $215,120 | $150,853 | $157,885 |
| 3 | Manchester, NH | $212,050 | $157,802 | $149,353 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $234,590 | $152,428 | $138,040 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $204,340 | $152,123 | $136,884 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $203,420 | $143,204 | $136,123 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $176,540 | $131,931 | $134,533 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $177,160 | $128,265 | $134,492 |
| 39 | Raleigh, NC | $169,780 | $121,045 | $123,318 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 82 metros →
Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Durham, NC — $172,480
- Greensboro, NC — $161,720
- Charlotte, NC — $169,960
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and engineering manager make in Raleigh, NC?
The median architectural and engineering manager salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $169,780 a year, or about $81.63 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $139,040 and $208,590.
What is a architectural and engineering manager’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $169,780 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $121,045 a year ($10,087 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,265 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a architectural and engineering manager?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $171,270. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $123,318 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #39 of 82 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 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%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $173,960
- Natural Sciences Manager — $173,510
- Marketing Manager — $167,640
- Sales Manager — $163,520
- Financial Manager — $163,130
- Managers, All Other — $147,370
- Human Resources Manager — $144,190
- Purchasing Manager — $139,050
- Training and Development Manager — $130,660
- Industrial Production Manager — $130,120
- Construction Manager — $119,700
- General and Operations Manager — $114,940