SalaryByCity

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$62,340

Median annual salary

632,430 employed nationally

Mechanical Engineers

$102,320

Median annual salary

286,760 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $39,980 more per year than Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals — that's 64.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earns $80,510 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.

Salary Range Comparison

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$47,960 – $80,510
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$47,960$161,240

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesMechanical EngineersDifference
10th Percentile$47,960$68,740$-20,780
25th Percentile$55,220$81,800$-26,580
Median (50th)$62,340$102,320$-39,980
75th Percentile$73,160$130,290$-57,130
90th Percentile$80,510$161,240$-80,730
Mean (Average)$64,150$110,080$-45,930

Employment Numbers

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

632,430

employed nationwide

Mechanical Engineers

286,760

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$92,840
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$90,810
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$80,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$79,460
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$78,870

Best Cities for Mechanical Engineers

CityMedian
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: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,980 (64.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries range from $47,960 (10th percentile) to $80,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 632,430 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses has a median salary of $62,340 while Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

Career Resources

Career Change Resources

Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.

Professional Certifications

Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.

Online Degree Programs

Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.

Resume Writing Services

Get professional help crafting a standout resume.

Explore More

Cost of Living by CityCollege & University DataSalary Calculators

Was this data helpful?

Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS