Labor Relations Specialists 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 $8,820 more per year than Labor Relations Specialists professionals — that's 9.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Labor Relations Specialists earns $153,440 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Labor Relations Specialists$49,880 – $153,440
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$49,880$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Labor Relations Specialists | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $49,880 | $68,740 | $-18,860 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,670 | $81,800 | $-14,130 |
| Median (50th) | $93,500 | $102,320 | $-8,820 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,090 | $130,290 | $-7,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,440 | $161,240 | $-7,800 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,130 | $110,080 | $-12,950 |
Employment Numbers
Labor Relations Specialists
64,590
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Labor Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $145,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,460 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $118,620 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $106,180 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,710 |
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: Labor Relations Specialists or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,820 (9.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists salaries range from $49,880 (10th percentile) to $153,440 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,500.
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 Labor Relations Specialists and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,590 Labor Relations Specialists positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Labor Relations Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Labor Relations Specialists has a median salary of $93,500 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