Mechanical Engineer vs Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Electrical Engineer
$111,022/yr median(+$8,121 · 7.9% 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
Electrical Engineer
Median$111,022
Mean$116,655
10th %ile$74,398
25th %ile$88,376
75th %ile$137,439
90th %ile$164,085
Employed189K+
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 |
Electrical Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $74,398 |
| 25th percentile | $88,376 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $111,022 |
| 75th percentile | $137,439 |
| 90th percentile | $164,085 |
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 |
Electrical Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $143,850 |
| 2 | California | $140,360 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $138,860 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $131,790 |
| 5 | Washington | $130,730 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Mechanical Engineer or Electrical Engineer?
- Electrical Engineer pays more with a median salary of $111,022/year, which is 7.9% more than Mechanical Engineer at $102,901/year.
- What is the salary difference between Mechanical Engineer and Electrical Engineer?
- The median salary difference is $8,121/year (7.9%).
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