Engineer managers are responsible for the planning, coordinating, and directing of manufacturing processes, scientific research, and product development projects. Although many work as plant engineers—where job responsibilities including the installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and machinery—others work primarily in employee management positions. Successful engineering managers should be able to apply their knowledge of administrative procedures—such as budgeting, hiring, and supervision—together with a math and science background. In addition to a bachelor's degree in an engineering-related field, an increasing number of engineering managers are obtaining master's degrees in either engineering management (MEM) or business administration (MBA). For those with the most education and experience, career opportunities within the field are abundant, with employment projected to grow 8 percent over the next decade. Salaries for engineering managers vary greatly by specialty and level of responsibly, although annual earnings averaged $105,430 as of May 2006.