Mechanical Engineer vs Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Electrical Engineer
$114,434/yr median(+$9,018 · 8.6% more)
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+
Higher pay
Electrical Engineer
Median$114,434
Mean$119,150
10th %ile$76,368
25th %ile$91,148
75th %ile$140,958
90th %ile$167,503
Employed192K+
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 |
Electrical Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $76,368 |
| 25th percentile | $91,148 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $114,434 |
| 75th percentile | $140,958 |
| 90th percentile | $167,503 |
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 |
Electrical Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $158,520 |
| 2 | California | $144,040 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $143,000 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $135,710 |
| 5 | Washington | $132,710 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Mechanical Engineer or Electrical Engineer?
- Electrical Engineer pays more with a median salary of $114,434/year, which is 8.6% more than Mechanical Engineer at $105,416/year.
- What is the salary difference between Mechanical Engineer and Electrical Engineer?
- The median salary difference is $9,018/year (8.6%).
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