How Much Does a Technical Engineering Manager Make? (2025)
A technical engineering manager oversees engineering teams, manages complex engineering projects, and ensures construction or manufacturing operations meet quality and safety standards. Technical engineering managers coordinate activities across teams and departments to ensure project cohesion. They also keep stakeholders informed about project progress and compliance.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups them under architectural and engineering managers, a field projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034. According to Salary.com, a technical engineering manager earns an average salary of $156,260 per year, or $75 per hour in the U.S.
Continue reading this guide to learn about technical engineering manager salary expectations, best-paying cities, and common questions about the role.
What is the Average Technical Engineering Manager's Salary?
As of October 1, 2025, the average salary of technical engineering managers in the U.S. is $156,260 per year, which is $75 per hour. The salary range for technical engineering managers is between $121,738 and $171,047, with most earnings falling between $138,190 and $164,000.
2025 Average Salary for Technical Engineering Managers: $156,260 per year ($75 per hour)
On a monthly basis, the salary of technical engineering manager professionals averages $13,022, while weekly pay is around $3,005, according to the latest data from Salary.com. These figures reflect the average engineering manager salary across different industries and regions.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $59 | $2,341 | $10,145 | $121,738 |
| 25th Percentile | $66 | $2,658 | $11,516 | $138,190 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $75 | $3,005 | $13,022 | $156,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $79 | $3,154 | $13,667 | $164,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $82 | $3,289 | $14,254 | $171,047 |
In addition to the base pay, technical engineering managers often receive a wide range of benefits, including Social Security, 401(k) contributions, healthcare, and paid time off. They also receive bonuses, which raise the average total compensation to $235,210 per year.
These figures reflect the value of professionals in engineering management who manage teams, oversee complex engineering projects, and ensure that detailed plans meet deadlines and quality standards.
Technical Engineering Manager Average Salaries State by State
The salaries of technical engineering managers differ across U.S. states due to factors such as cost of living, job demand, and local wage standards. Regions with strong construction, manufacturing, and technology management sectors generally offer higher pay for engineering managers because of the complexity of their projects and the need to manage multiple teams and processes.
The table below shows the states with the highest average pay for technical engineering managers: the District of Columbia ($173,010), California ($172,360), and Massachusetts ($170,060). These areas have a strong presence of large organizations and ongoing engineering management operations, where experienced leaders are responsible for major projects and development programs.
On the other hand, the states with the lowest average salaries include Mississippi ($139,360), West Virginia ($140,720), and Arkansas ($141,170). Lower pay levels in these regions may be linked to smaller industries, fewer large-scale engineering projects, and lower local wage structures.
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $169,150 |
| Alabama | $143,560 |
| Arkansas | $141,170 |
| Arizona | $152,260 |
| California | $172,360 |
| Colorado | $159,440 |
| Connecticut | $167,000 |
| District of Columbia | $173,010 |
| Delaware | $158,250 |
| Florida | $147,860 |
| Georgia | $150,720 |
| Hawaii | $163,330 |
| Iowa | $149,540 |
| Idaho | $145,870 |
| Illinois | $159,280 |
| Indiana | $150,000 |
| Kansas | $148,790 |
| Kentucky | $147,040 |
| Louisiana | $148,580 |
| Massachusetts | $170,060 |
| Maryland | $161,120 |
| Maine | $152,360 |
| Michigan | $153,890 |
| Minnesota | $159,900 |
| Missouri | $148,470 |
| Mississippi | $139,360 |
| Montana | $147,530 |
| North Carolina | $148,500 |
| North Dakota | $154,360 |
| Nebraska | $147,220 |
| New Hampshire | $157,970 |
| New Jersey | $169,370 |
| New Mexico | $144,730 |
| Nevada | $154,650 |
| New York | $166,120 |
| Ohio | $152,150 |
| Oklahoma | $144,480 |
| Oregon | $158,680 |
| Pennsylvania | $155,560 |
| Rhode Island | $162,010 |
| South Carolina | $146,420 |
| South Dakota | $142,010 |
| Tennessee | $146,030 |
| Texas | $152,420 |
| Utah | $149,640 |
| Virginia | $157,360 |
| Vermont | $153,370 |
| Washington | $169,440 |
| Wisconsin | $153,720 |
| West Virginia | $140,720 |
| Wyoming | $149,860 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Technical Engineering Managers?
Technical engineering manager salaries also vary by city, mainly influenced by the cost of living, local job demand, and industry growth in urban areas. Large cities with advanced engineering operations, construction projects, and strong technology management programs tend to offer higher pay for experienced engineering managers.
For example, San Jose, CA ($197,090), San Francisco, CA ($195,160), and Oakland, CA ($190,830) rank among the top-paying cities in the U.S. These metropolitan areas have a high concentration of tech companies and engineering teams, creating strong demand for skilled managers who can oversee complex engineering projects.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $197,090 |
| San Francisco, CA | $195,160 |
| Oakland, CA | $190,830 |
| New York, NY | $181,090 |
| Queens Village, NY | $179,920 |
How Does Experience Affect Technical Engineering Manager Salaries?
Technical engineering manager salaries grow with experience. Salary.com reports that entry-level technical engineering managers earn about $149,277 per year, while those with over eight years of experience average around $156,506 annually.
Experience is a primary driver of a technical engineering manager's salary. As professionals build their skills and handle more complex responsibilities, compensation typically increases. Here's how the average salary progresses at different career stages:
| Levels | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Technical Engineering Manager | $149,277 |
| Intermediate Level Technical Engineering Manager | $150,117 |
| Senior Level Technical Engineering Manager | $152,074 |
| Specialist Level Technical Engineering Manager | $154,312 |
| Expert Level Technical Engineering Manager | $156,506 |
How to Increase Salary as a Technical Engineering Manager?
Increasing your salary as a technical engineering manager requires continuous skill development. This includes gaining experience, expanding technical knowledge, earning certifications, and pursuing specialized training in areas like automation, AI, and project management and leadership, as well as developing the ability to create innovative solutions or engineering projects.
Building a strong professional network, obtaining advanced education such as a master's in engineering management, and proving consistent success in project execution are also important. Successful implementation of engineering strategies and projects is a key driver of higher compensation.
If you are interested in advancing your career, seek out additional training and leadership opportunities.
Technical Engineering Manager Advancements
Building a successful career in technical engineering management involves several advancement paths that can also lead to higher earnings:
- Build a strong track record: Managers who lead successful engineering projects, reduce production costs, or improve system efficiency can justify higher pay or promotions.
- Leadership roles: Managing larger teams, overseeing multiple projects, or moving into senior positions like Director of Engineering can increase total compensation.
- Specialization: Expertise in high-demand areas such as software systems, automation, or data analytics makes a manager more valuable to employers.
- Education: Most technical engineering managers hold at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Many pursue a master's degree, such as a Master of Engineering Management, to qualify for senior or executive roles with higher pay and to advance within these occupations.
Technical Engineering Manager Skills
The salary of technical engineering managers increases as they develop more advanced skills through experience and professional training. Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that Continuous Improvement (7.67%) and Cost Estimation (7.41%) are among the skills that significantly raise salaries.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous Improvement | 10.30% | 7.67% |
| Cost Estimation | 10.60% | 7.41% |
| Prototyping | 10.30% | 7.14% |
| Welding | 10.00% | 7.14% |
| Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) | 10.50% | 7.07% |
| Reliability Analysis | 10.30% | 7.07% |
What are the FAQs About Technical Engineering Manager Salaries?
Here are the most common questions related to the salary of technical engineering managers:
How much can a Technical Engineering Manager make with experience?
A technical engineering manager's salary grows with experience in management and leading teams. Early-career engineering managers can earn around $149,277 per year, while experts may reach $156,506 per year. Managing engineering projects efficiently and developing strong project management and leadership skills help boost your average engineering manager salary over time.
Do Technical Engineering Managers get bonuses or stock options?
Yes. Besides your engineering manager salary, you may receive bonuses or stock options for leading teams, completing critical assignments, or supervising projects. Companies reward strong project management and engineering management skills, making your average total compensation higher as you demonstrate leadership and impact on operations.
Which industries pay Technical Engineering Managers the most?
Industries with high demand for engineering managers and advanced technology pay the most. Fields like software, cloud computing, AI, and fintech offer higher average engineering manager salary levels than traditional manufacturing or construction industries. If you want to target a higher technical engineering manager salary, focusing on growth industries where engineering projects are complex and cutting-edge can help.
Which companies pay Technical Engineering Managers the highest salaries?
Companies with large-scale projects and advanced management operations typically offer top salary packages. Employers value engineering managers who can supervise construction projects, lead teams, and demonstrate strong project management skills. Targeting these organizations and showcasing your results in complex projects can significantly increase total compensation.
