Mechanical Engineers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $1,570 more per year than Project Management Specialists professionals — that's 1.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Mechanical Engineers earns $161,240 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$59,830$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Mechanical Engineers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $68,740 | $59,830 | +$8,910 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,800 | $76,950 | +$4,850 |
| Median (50th) | $102,320 | $100,750 | +$1,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,290 | $131,660 | $-1,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,240 | $165,790 | $-4,550 |
| Mean (Average) | $110,080 | $108,100 | +$1,980 |
Employment Numbers
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Mechanical Engineers or Project Management Specialists?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,570 (1.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Mechanical Engineers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Mechanical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Mechanical Engineers has a median salary of $102,320 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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