Architecture and Engineering Occupations
SOC 17-0000 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Architecture and Engineering Occupations is $91,420, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $99,090, and an estimated 2,539,660 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +9.9% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -6.6% (pay did not keep up with inflation).
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Architecture and Engineering Occupations has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $91,420 | $91,420 | 2,539,660 |
| 2022 | $83,700 | $87,145 | 2,481,170 |
| 2021 | $79,840 | $89,779 | 2,436,520 |
| 2020 | $83,160 | $97,905 | 2,515,040 |
Nominal change
+9.9%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-6.6%
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Architecture and Engineering Occupations earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $91,420. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $128,940 | +41% | 2,920 |
| District of Columbia | $122,320 | +33.8% | 11,700 |
| California | $108,660 | +18.9% | 337,470 |
| Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $106,360 | +16.3% | — |
| New Mexico | $105,310 | +15.2% | 23,730 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $104,010 | +13.8% | 1,500 |
| Maryland | $103,450 | +13.2% | 50,670 |
| Washington | $101,870 | +11.4% | 73,920 |
| Oregon | $100,740 | +10.2% | 44,570 |
| Massachusetts | $100,050 | +9.4% | 73,420 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$51,130
25th Pct
$67,640
Median
$91,420
75th Pct
$124,130
90th Pct
$159,630
Related Occupations in Architecture & Engineering
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Architecture & Engineering occupations →