Electrical Engineers vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $9,590 more per year than Mechanical Engineers professionals — that's 9.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$68,740$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $68,740 | +$5,930 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $81,800 | +$5,790 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $102,320 | +$9,590 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $130,290 | +$11,340 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $161,240 | +$14,220 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $110,080 | +$10,900 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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: Electrical Engineers or Mechanical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $9,590 (9.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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 Electrical Engineers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 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