Marketing Managers vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Marketing Managers professionals earn $58,710 more per year than Mechanical Engineers professionals — that's 57.4% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Marketing Managers$81,900 – N/A
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$68,740$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Marketing Managers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,900 | $68,740 | +$13,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $111,210 | $81,800 | +$29,410 |
| Median (50th) | $161,030 | $102,320 | +$58,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $211,080 | $130,290 | +$80,790 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $161,240 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $171,520 | $110,080 | +$61,440 |
Employment Numbers
Marketing Managers
384,980
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Marketing Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $176,240 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $176,100 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $175,560 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $173,880 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $171,590 |
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: Marketing Managers or Mechanical Engineers?
Marketing Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $58,710 (57.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Marketing Managers?
Marketing Managers salaries range from $81,900 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,030.
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 Marketing Managers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 384,980 Marketing Managers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Marketing Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Marketing Managers has a median salary of $161,030 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