Career comparison
Engineering Manager vs. Project Manager
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Engineering managers earn more at the median ($171,270 vs. $102,320), while project managers usually get to work faster (1–4+ years of training). Engineering managers lead teams of engineers who design products, systems and structures. Project managers plan projects, lead teams and deliver results on time, on budget and in scope.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Engineering Manager | Project Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $171,270 ($82.34/hr) | $102,320 ($49.19/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $120,810 – $262,760 | $61,580 – $167,970 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.5% (faster than average) | +6.7% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 14,900 | 76,500 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 5+ years of engineering experience | 1–4+ years |
| Key credential | PE license | PMP (PMI) |
| Work setting | Engineering managers work in offices, labs and plants.. | Project managers work in offices, on job sites or remotely, depending on the industry. |
What each job does
Engineering Manager
- Lead engineering teams
- Set project goals
- Manage budgets
- Review designs
- Hire and coach engineers
Project Manager
- Define project scope, goals and deliverables
- Build schedules, budgets and resource plans
- Coordinate team members, vendors and stakeholders
- Track progress and manage risks and issues
- Manage changes to scope, time and cost
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, working with people, high responsibility, and problem-solving. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and business & office, but share transferable skills such as leadership and leadership.
Which should you choose?
Choose engineering manager if…
- I’m an engineer who likes leading
- I like strategy
- I can coach people
Choose project manager if…
- I like organizing people and plans
- I’m comfortable being accountable for results
- I communicate clearly and handle conflict
Still torn? Take the Engineering Manager fit quiz and the Project Manager fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, engineering manager or project manager?
Engineering Managers earn more at the median: $171,270 versus $102,320 for project managers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Project Managers typically train faster (1–4+ years) than engineering managers (5+ years of engineering experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects project managers to grow +6.7% from 2025–35, compared with +5.5% for engineering managers.