Budget Analysts vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $14,390 more per year than Budget Analysts professionals — that's 16.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$60,510$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $68,740 | $-8,230 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $81,800 | $-9,560 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $102,320 | $-14,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $130,290 | $-19,910 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $161,240 | $-26,600 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $110,080 | $-16,160 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Budget Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $141,590 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $125,170 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $121,890 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $103,960 |
Best Cities for Mechanical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $126,870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $124,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,390 (16.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Budget Analysts?
Budget Analysts salaries range from $60,510 (10th percentile) to $134,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $87,930.
What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
How many Budget Analysts and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS