Mechanical Engineer vs Administrative Assistant Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Mechanical Engineer
$105,416/yr median(+$58,404 · 124.2% more)
Higher pay
Mechanical Engineer
Median$105,416
Mean$110,678
10th %ile$72,421
25th %ile$86,092
75th %ile$130,180
90th %ile$156,351
Employed291K+
Administrative Assistant
Median$47,012
Mean$48,292
10th %ile$33,791
25th %ile$39,585
75th %ile$55,238
90th %ile$64,285
Employed1.7M+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Mechanical Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $72,421 |
| 25th percentile | $86,092 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $105,416 |
| 75th percentile | $130,180 |
| 90th percentile | $156,351 |
Administrative Assistant
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,791 |
| 25th percentile | $39,585 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $47,012 |
| 75th percentile | $55,238 |
| 90th percentile | $64,285 |
Top Paying States
Mechanical Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $157,710 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| 3 | California | $130,900 |
| 4 | Delaware | $125,130 |
| 5 | Colorado | $124,430 |
Administrative Assistant
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $59,910 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $57,940 |
| 3 | Washington | $57,330 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $57,210 |
| 5 | California | $55,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Mechanical Engineer or Administrative Assistant?
- Mechanical Engineer pays more with a median salary of $105,416/year, which is 124.2% more than Administrative Assistant at $47,012/year.
- What is the salary difference between Mechanical Engineer and Administrative Assistant?
- The median salary difference is $58,404/year (124.2%).
Compare Different Jobs
Related Comparisons
Mechanical Engineer vs AccountantMechanical Engineer vs ActuaryMechanical Engineer vs Administrative Services ManagerMechanical Engineer vs Aerospace EngineerAdministrative Assistant vs AccountantAdministrative Assistant vs ActuaryAdministrative Assistant vs Administrative Services ManagerAdministrative Assistant vs Aerospace Engineer