Administrative Services Managers vs Architectural and Engineering Managers
Side-by-side salary and career comparison using Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Administrative Services Managers
$114,130
median annual salary
Architectural and Engineering Managers
$171,270
median annual salary
Architectural and Engineering Managers earns $57,140 more per year (33% higher)
This side-by-side compares Administrative Services Managers (SOC 11-3012) against Architectural and Engineering Managers (SOC 11-9041) using BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from May 2025 plus BLS Employment Projections covering 2023–2033. The national median pay gap is $57,140/year (33%), favoring Architectural and Engineering Managers. Total U.S. employment sits at 263,960 for Administrative Services Managers and 220,260 for Architectural and Engineering Managers, which matters when judging how competitive the market is on either side.
Career trajectory diverges as well: BLS projects Administrative Services Managers employment to change +4.6% through 2033 versus +3.8% for Architectural and Engineering Managers, a difference of 0.8 percentage points. Annual openings (growth + replacement combined) are projected at 23.2 for Administrative Services Managers against 14.5 for Architectural and Engineering Managers.
Salary comparisons mask enormous state-level variation. This page's state-by-state table shows where each occupation pays best relative to the other — 52 states have reported wage data for both occupations, and the top-paying metros can exceed the national median by 20-40%. When weighing these two careers, look past the headline median: check the 10th-to-90th percentile spread to understand ceiling and floor, compare the state where you actually want to live, factor in the educational and experience investment required to enter, and keep in mind that BLS wage data excludes employer benefits, stock options, tips, and bonuses which can shift total compensation by 20-40%. Both sides of this comparison link through to full national profiles where you can run those deeper checks before making a career decision.
Salary & Career Comparison
| Metric | Administrative Services Managers | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $114,130 | $171,270 |
| Median Hourly | $54.87/hr | $82.34/hr |
| Mean Salary | $129,870 | $181,540 |
| 10th Percentile | $67,100 | $120,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $207,720 | $262,760 |
| Total Employment | 263,960 | 220,260 |
| Job Growth (2023–2033) | +4.6% | +3.8% |
| Annual Openings | 23.2 | 14.5 |
| Education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Work Experience | Less than 5 years | 5 years or more |
Salary by State
States where both occupations have reported wage data, sorted by salary difference.
| State | Administrative Services Managers | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $129,670 | $146,030 | $-16,360 |
| Colorado | $157,000 | $183,810 | $-26,810 |
| Iowa | $116,920 | $147,320 | $-30,400 |
| New York | $142,280 | $175,710 | $-33,430 |
| Wisconsin | $108,450 | $142,060 | $-33,610 |
| Tennessee | $127,410 | $161,430 | $-34,020 |
| Minnesota | $137,290 | $172,130 | $-34,840 |
| Nebraska | $105,720 | $141,020 | $-35,300 |
| New Jersey | $144,460 | $180,640 | $-36,180 |
| Guam | $64,320 | $100,740 | $-36,420 |
| Utah | $123,700 | $161,120 | $-37,420 |
| Maine | $105,380 | $145,720 | $-40,340 |
| Hawaii | $110,840 | $151,670 | $-40,830 |
| Delaware | $139,910 | $181,190 | $-41,280 |
| Kansas | $118,570 | $160,150 | $-41,580 |
| Indiana | $112,990 | $155,810 | $-42,820 |
| Wyoming | $120,510 | $163,560 | $-43,050 |
| South Carolina | $124,320 | $169,040 | $-44,720 |
| Virginia | $130,850 | $176,160 | $-45,310 |
| Mississippi | $96,030 | $142,790 | $-46,760 |
Showing top 20 of 52 states.
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025 release). Salary figures are annual medians and percentile bands published by BLS.
Common Questions
Which pays more, Administrative Services Managers or Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Which has better job outlook?
Where does this data come from?
Last updated: May 2025 (BLS OEWS annual release). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.