Human Resources Managers vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $37,710 more per year than Mechanical Engineers professionals — that's 36.9% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$68,740$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Managers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $83,790 | $68,740 | +$15,050 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,590 | $81,800 | +$23,790 |
| Median (50th) | $140,030 | $102,320 | +$37,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $189,960 | $130,290 | +$59,670 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $161,240 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $160,480 | $110,080 | +$50,400 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Managers
215,520
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
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: Human Resources Managers or Mechanical Engineers?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $37,710 (36.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
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 Human Resources Managers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Human Resources Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Managers has a median salary of $140,030 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