Engineering managers
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Engineering Managers: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
Engineering and natural sciences managers held about 233,000 jobs in 2004. About 27 percent worked in professional, scientific, and technical services industries, primarily for firms providing architectural, engineering, and related services; computer systems design and related services; and scientific research and development services. Manufacturing industries employed 37 percent of engineering and natural sciences managers. Manufacturing industries with the largest employment include those producing computer and electronic equipment; transportation equipment, including aerospace products and parts; chemicals, including pharmaceuticals; and machinery manufacturing. Other large employers include government agencies and telecommunications and utilities companies.
Earnings for engineering and natural sciences managers vary by specialty and by level of responsibility. Median annual earnings of engineering managers were $97,630 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $78,820 and $121,090. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of engineering managers in May 2004 are shown below:
| Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing | $116,400 |
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | 107,160 |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 103,570 |
| Federal government | 97,000 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 96,020 |
Median annual earnings of natural sciences managers were $88,660 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $64,550 and $118,210. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of natural sciences managers in May 2004 are shown below:
| Scientific research and development services | $106,530 |
| Federal government | 81,460 |
A survey of manufacturing firms, conducted by Abbot, Langer & Associates, found that engineering department managers and superintendents earned a median annual income of $89,232 in 2004, while research and development managers earned $90,377.
In addition, engineering and natural sciences managers, especially those at higher levels, often receive more benefits—such as expense accounts, stock option plans, and bonuses—than do nonmanagerial workers in their organizations.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Engineering and Natural Sciences Managers)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Engineering managers | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Mining employment: 2,070 mean earnings: $111,340 (EC) (def) (IG) | $68,550 | $84,030 | $106,930 | $133,750 | >$145K |
| Oil and Gas Extraction employment: 1,130 mean earnings: $118,970 | $74,270 | $91,530 | $116,960 | $140,530 | >$145K |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) employment: 360 mean earnings: $87,980 | $62,640 | $72,530 | $85,660 | $103,650 | $118,450 |
| Support Activities for Mining employment: 570 mean earnings: $110,980 | $69,970 | $84,920 | $105,790 | $130,890 | >$145K |
| Utilities employment: 3,700 mean earnings: $96,530 (EC) (def) (IG) | $69,150 | $80,310 | $94,090 | $110,780 | $130,540 |
| Utilities employment: 3,700 mean earnings: $96,530 | $69,150 | $80,310 | $94,090 | $110,780 | $130,540 |
| Construction employment: 5,750 mean earnings: $94,510 (EC) (def) (IG) | $51,470 | $70,520 | $90,680 | $115,990 | $141,550 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 3,800 mean earnings: $93,260 | $51,170 | $71,080 | $89,700 | $114,580 | $139,940 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 1,160 mean earnings: $101,780 | $56,300 | $75,210 | $98,280 | $125,730 | >$145K |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 790 mean earnings: $89,790 | $49,680 | $62,080 | $86,490 | $110,480 | $136,180 |
| Manufacturing employment: 80,330 mean earnings: $105,680 (EC) (def) (IG) | $64,750 | $80,460 | $100,850 | $125,470 | >$145K |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 490 mean earnings: $101,750 | $66,940 | $79,490 | $94,660 | $117,930 | $145,150 |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing employment: 90 mean earnings: $104,450 | $66,790 | $80,940 | $98,890 | $123,290 | >$145K |
| Textile Mills employment: 460 mean earnings: $90,100 | $56,640 | $69,140 | $84,690 | $104,940 | $132,850 |
| Textile Product Mills employment: 150 mean earnings: $85,440 | $52,690 | $65,720 | $81,250 | $99,300 | $124,840 |
| Apparel Manufacturing employment: 60 mean earnings: $80,100 | $51,950 | $64,470 | $80,840 | $94,130 | $111,250 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing employment: 570 mean earnings: $77,410 | $47,070 | $58,500 | $74,310 | $91,920 | $116,020 |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 950 mean earnings: $93,850 | $61,560 | $75,140 | $92,900 | $111,860 | $132,160 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 70 mean earnings: $90,160 | $62,160 | $74,080 | $86,380 | $105,250 | $120,620 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing employment: 660 mean earnings: $118,690 | $75,680 | $90,240 | $114,320 | $140,200 | >$145K |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 3,750 mean earnings: $103,200 | $68,610 | $81,510 | $98,410 | $119,210 | $145,040 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 2,480 mean earnings: $87,820 | $59,480 | $69,430 | $84,170 | $102,520 | $123,730 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing employment: 1,090 mean earnings: $87,140 | $58,100 | $68,220 | $83,490 | $101,830 | $120,280 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 1,380 mean earnings: $90,570 | $60,320 | $73,890 | $87,160 | $106,300 | $127,730 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 5,310 mean earnings: $85,690 | $54,430 | $66,900 | $82,200 | $99,760 | $122,720 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 9,970 mean earnings: $95,580 | $61,080 | $75,360 | $90,630 | $111,880 | $138,540 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 29,440 mean earnings: $120,550 | $76,770 | $94,250 | $115,690 | $141,460 | >$145K |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 3,230 mean earnings: $97,060 | $62,190 | $76,130 | $91,550 | $113,190 | $140,900 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 16,680 mean earnings: $103,250 | $65,840 | $81,280 | $100,500 | $119,300 | $144,670 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 850 mean earnings: $79,030 | $49,220 | $61,590 | $75,180 | $91,630 | $113,610 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 2,630 mean earnings: $101,520 | $63,210 | $78,580 | $95,950 | $117,880 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 3,410 mean earnings: $110,550 (EC) (def) (IG) | $68,330 | $85,430 | $106,250 | $130,420 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 2,540 mean earnings: $109,090 | $67,260 | $84,430 | $105,240 | $128,420 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 350 mean earnings: $112,380 | $71,530 | $89,100 | $109,380 | $132,460 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 510 mean earnings: $116,560 | $73,960 | $88,040 | $109,290 | $138,460 | >$145K |
| Retail Trade employment: 510 mean earnings: $109,930 (EC) (def) (IG) | $66,930 | $82,800 | $103,090 | $131,090 | >$145K |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 380 mean earnings: $114,770 | $69,460 | $86,120 | $108,150 | $136,680 | >$145K |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 100 mean earnings: $102,600 | $73,640 | $81,890 | $93,630 | $117,940 | >$145K |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 1,000 mean earnings: $98,040 (EC) (def) (IG) | $65,660 | $78,450 | $93,160 | $113,710 | $139,460 |
| Air Transportation employment: 150 mean earnings: $97,820 | $76,380 | $83,400 | $95,210 | $110,520 | $127,150 |
| Rail Transportation employment: 90 mean earnings: $107,940 | $76,820 | $86,750 | $104,450 | $124,370 | >$145K |
| Water Transportation employment: 90 mean earnings: $100,290 | $61,760 | $75,150 | $90,270 | $114,080 | >$145K |
| Truck Transportation employment: 130 mean earnings: $95,520 | $63,530 | $72,250 | $88,470 | $111,750 | $139,840 |
| Pipeline Transportation employment: 250 mean earnings: $102,870 | $66,220 | $81,250 | $99,910 | $122,880 | $144,750 |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 80 mean earnings: $88,730 | $62,180 | $74,100 | $85,670 | $101,640 | $117,680 |
| Couriers and Messengers employment: 120 mean earnings: $94,670 | $68,230 | $78,880 | $91,230 | $109,410 | $128,150 |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 80 mean earnings: $88,350 | $60,500 | $70,270 | $84,360 | $104,000 | $125,210 |
| Information employment: 5,880 mean earnings: $108,810 (EC) (def) (IG) | $65,520 | $82,640 | $103,940 | $128,420 | >$145K |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 550 mean earnings: $122,020 | $80,010 | $95,270 | $113,650 | $141,240 | >$145K |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: 50 mean earnings: $128,130 | $75,550 | $99,700 | $119,010 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 1,150 mean earnings: $98,570 | $58,250 | $72,590 | $92,060 | $115,510 | >$145K |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting employment: 50 mean earnings: $122,360 | $85,610 | $103,210 | $121,860 | $140,150 | >$145K |
| Telecommunications employment: 3,280 mean earnings: $106,870 | $65,360 | $81,680 | $102,440 | $123,510 | >$145K |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 790 mean earnings: $120,370 | $78,310 | $96,200 | $116,680 | $141,650 | >$145K |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 300 mean earnings: $107,770 (EC) (def) (IG) | $68,620 | $82,950 | $102,220 | $124,310 | >$145K |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 170 mean earnings: $107,500 | $66,360 | $81,520 | $102,470 | $125,890 | >$145K |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 70 mean earnings: $110,300 | $75,430 | $85,730 | $103,680 | $126,200 | >$145K |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 50 mean earnings: $107,160 | $73,530 | $84,550 | $101,080 | $118,820 | >$145K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 310 mean earnings: $123,070 (EC) (def) (IG) | $67,710 | $85,810 | $114,380 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Real Estate employment: n.a. mean earnings: $101,320 | $59,310 | $70,840 | $89,960 | $114,740 | >$145K |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $140,280 | $84,310 | $106,210 | $135,450 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 52,400 mean earnings: $110,320 (EC) (def) (IG) | $67,020 | $82,570 | $104,350 | $132,140 | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 52,400 mean earnings: $110,320 | $67,020 | $82,570 | $104,350 | $132,140 | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 8,150 mean earnings: $109,220 (EC) (def) (IG) | $68,230 | $83,770 | $104,310 | $129,490 | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 8,150 mean earnings: $109,220 | $68,230 | $83,770 | $104,310 | $129,490 | >$145K |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 2,030 mean earnings: $104,000 (EC) (def) (IG) | $67,460 | $82,000 | $100,680 | $120,600 | $145,190 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 1,450 mean earnings: $104,840 | $66,650 | $81,170 | $100,190 | $122,480 | >$145K |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 580 mean earnings: $101,890 | $69,780 | $84,230 | $101,640 | $117,820 | $139,880 |
| Educational Services employment: 750 mean earnings: $92,800 (EC) (def) (IG) | $52,500 | $66,390 | $87,010 | $114,350 | $143,320 |
| Educational Services employment: 750 mean earnings: $92,800 | $52,500 | $66,390 | $87,010 | $114,350 | $143,320 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 750 mean earnings: $84,910 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,900 | $64,470 | $82,800 | $104,230 | $126,410 |
| Hospitals employment: 710 mean earnings: $84,620 | $49,750 | $64,160 | $82,340 | $103,600 | $125,280 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 60 mean earnings: $95,500 (EC) (def) (IG) | $53,680 | $67,600 | $84,280 | $112,500 | >$145K |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 50 mean earnings: $97,210 | $53,240 | $68,260 | $85,690 | $115,750 | >$145K |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 80 mean earnings: $73,680 (EC) (def) (IG) | $47,200 | $60,450 | $67,520 | $75,360 | $106,770 |
| Accommodation employment: 70 mean earnings: $67,410 | $48,150 | $60,260 | $66,780 | $73,210 | $93,570 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 280 mean earnings: $96,980 (EC) (def) (IG) | $65,340 | $78,190 | $97,530 | $114,100 | $132,100 |
| Repair and Maintenance employment: 170 mean earnings: $97,940 | $65,590 | $79,240 | $98,670 | $115,700 | $135,000 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 110 mean earnings: $96,770 | $66,350 | $77,660 | $96,950 | $112,600 | $124,960 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 19,650 mean earnings: $94,190 (def) (IG) | $65,340 | $78,910 | $95,230 | $111,070 | $128,700 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 19,650 mean earnings: $94,190 | $65,340 | $78,910 | $95,230 | $111,070 | $128,700 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.