Home Health and Personal Care Aides 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 $67,420 more per year than Home Health and Personal Care Aides professionals — that's 193.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Home Health and Personal Care Aides earns $44,190 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,600 – $44,190
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$25,600$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,600 | $68,740 | $-43,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,370 | $81,800 | $-51,430 |
| Median (50th) | $34,900 | $102,320 | $-67,420 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,980 | $130,290 | $-92,310 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,190 | $161,240 | $-117,050 |
| Mean (Average) | $34,990 | $110,080 | $-75,090 |
Employment Numbers
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
3,988,140
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Home Health and Personal Care Aides
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,690 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $44,320 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $39,790 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $39,520 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $38,360 |
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: Home Health and Personal Care Aides or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $67,420 (193.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $44,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,900.
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 Home Health and Personal Care Aides and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,988,140 Home Health and Personal Care Aides positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Home Health and Personal Care Aides has a median salary of $34,900 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