Food Service Managers 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 $37,010 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 56.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Food Service Managers earns $105,420 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$42,380$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Food Service Managers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,380 | $68,740 | $-26,360 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,090 | $81,800 | $-28,710 |
| Median (50th) | $65,310 | $102,320 | $-37,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,300 | $130,290 | $-47,990 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,420 | $161,240 | $-55,820 |
| Mean (Average) | $72,370 | $110,080 | $-37,710 |
Employment Numbers
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Food Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $86,840 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $84,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $82,570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $82,400 |
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: Food Service Managers or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $37,010 (56.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers salaries range from $42,380 (10th percentile) to $105,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,310.
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 Food Service Managers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 244,230 Food Service Managers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Food Service Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Food Service Managers has a median salary of $65,310 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