Business Operations Specialists, All Other 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 $21,050 more per year than Business Operations Specialists, All Other professionals — that's 25.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Business Operations Specialists, All Other earns $147,830 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$46,230 – $147,830
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$46,230$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Business Operations Specialists, All Other | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $68,740 | $-22,510 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,820 | $81,800 | $-20,980 |
| Median (50th) | $81,270 | $102,320 | $-21,050 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,030 | $130,290 | $-20,260 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,830 | $161,240 | $-13,410 |
| Mean (Average) | $92,380 | $110,080 | $-17,700 |
Employment Numbers
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
1,128,200
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Business Operations Specialists, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $106,680 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $104,000 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,420 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,440 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $96,300 |
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: Business Operations Specialists, All Other or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,050 (25.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Business Operations Specialists, All Other?
Business Operations Specialists, All Other salaries range from $46,230 (10th percentile) to $147,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,270.
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 Business Operations Specialists, All Other and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,128,200 Business Operations Specialists, All Other positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Business Operations Specialists, All Other?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Business Operations Specialists, All Other has a median salary of $81,270 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