Financial 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 $970 more per year than Financial Analysts professionals — that's 1.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Analysts earns $180,550 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$62,410$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Analysts | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,410 | $68,740 | $-6,330 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,300 | $81,800 | $-3,500 |
| Median (50th) | $101,350 | $102,320 | $-970 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,050 | $130,290 | +$1,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,550 | $161,240 | +$19,310 |
| Mean (Average) | $116,490 | $110,080 | +$6,410 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
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: Financial Analysts or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $970 (1.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
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 Financial Analysts and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 340,580 Financial Analysts positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Financial Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Analysts has a median salary of $101,350 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