Mechanical Engineer vs Actuary Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Actuary
$121,524/yr median(+$18,623 · 18.1% more)
Mechanical Engineer
Median$102,901
Mean$107,612
10th %ile$69,205
25th %ile$83,337
75th %ile$127,130
90th %ile$150,144
Employed286K+
Higher pay
Actuary
Median$121,524
Mean$128,392
10th %ile$73,842
25th %ile$89,890
75th %ile$156,664
90th %ile$186,419
Employed27K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Mechanical Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $69,205 |
| 25th percentile | $83,337 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $102,901 |
| 75th percentile | $127,130 |
| 90th percentile | $150,144 |
Actuary
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,842 |
| 25th percentile | $89,890 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $121,524 |
| 75th percentile | $156,664 |
| 90th percentile | $186,419 |
Top Paying States
Mechanical Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $141,490 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $130,000 |
| 3 | Alaska | $129,990 |
| 4 | California | $126,370 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $122,670 |
Actuary
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $153,340 |
| 2 | Washington | $153,260 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $148,220 |
| 4 | Alabama | $143,230 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $137,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Mechanical Engineer or Actuary?
- Actuary pays more with a median salary of $121,524/year, which is 18.1% more than Mechanical Engineer at $102,901/year.
- What is the salary difference between Mechanical Engineer and Actuary?
- The median salary difference is $18,623/year (18.1%).