Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in San Francisco, CA
Architectural and Engineering Managers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $221,580 a year — 29% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $145,266 take-home, or $12,106 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$42,210
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,407
- California income tax$16,377
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$2,881
- Take-home pay$145,266
Marginal rate: 32% federal + 9.30% state
Architectural and Engineering Manager pay by experience in San Francisco, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $165,160 | $79.40 | $110,875 | $9,240 |
| 25th percentile | $184,720 | $88.81 | $122,185 | $10,182 |
| Median (50th) | $221,580 | $106.53 | $145,266 | $12,106 |
| 75th percentile | $287,680+ | $138.31 | $181,194 | $15,099 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $320,120+ | $153.90 | $198,079 | $16,507 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $221,580 buys in San Francisco, CA
Prices in San Francisco, CA are 15.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.95× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median architectural and engineering manager's $145,266 take-home pay has the buying power of $125,649 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 Francisco, CA 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
San Francisco, CA ranks #8 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 →
Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $234,590
- San Diego, CA — $202,810
- Los Angeles, CA — $190,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and engineering manager make in San Francisco, CA?
The median architectural and engineering manager salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $221,580 a year, or about $106.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $184,720 and $239,200+.
What is a architectural and engineering manager’s take-home pay in San Francisco, CA?
On the median $221,580 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $145,266 a year ($12,106 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $19,258 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a architectural and engineering manager?
Pay here is 29% above the national median of $171,270. Local prices are 15.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $125,649 would in a typical U.S. city. San Francisco, CA ranks #8 of 20 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Francisco, CA is $2,620 a month ($3,187 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median architectural and engineering manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Francisco, CA
- Chief Executive — $239,200+
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $232,890
- Natural Sciences Manager — $225,230
- Marketing Manager — $220,480
- Financial Manager — $216,150
- Managers, All Other — $210,080
- Human Resources Manager — $209,340
- Sales Manager — $170,810
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $166,310
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