Salary comparison
Engineering Manager vs Mechanical Engineer salary
Engineering Managers out-earn mechanical engineers by about $65,420 at the median. Here is the full side-by-side breakdown — pay range, top states, and experience.
Engineering Managers earn more — a median of $167,740 versus $102,320 for mechanical engineers, a gap of about $65,420 (64%). Both figures are published national wage benchmarks.
Engineering Manager
Verified$167,740
Median annual wage
- Entry (10th pct)
- $111,450
- Top 10%
- $239,200
- Discipline
- Architecture & Engineering
Mechanical Engineer
Verified$102,320
Median annual wage
- Entry (10th pct)
- $68,740
- Top 10%
- $161,240
- Discipline
- Architecture & Engineering
Engineering Manager vs Mechanical Engineer — pay distribution
Percentile-by-percentile comparison of national annual wages.
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentileEngineering Manager | $111,450 |
| MedianEngineering Manager | $167,740 |
| 90th percentileEngineering Manager | $239,200 |
| 10th percentileMechanical Engineer | $68,740 |
| MedianMechanical Engineer | $102,320 |
| 90th percentileMechanical Engineer | $161,240 |
Pay by experience
Modeled progression from entry to principal level for each role (estimated from the national percentile curve).
Engineering Manager
Mechanical Engineer
Where each role pays most
Highest-paying states by published median wage.
Engineering Manager
- New Mexico$215,730
- California$201,810
- Washington$181,080
- Massachusetts$178,800
- District of Columbia$176,950
Mechanical Engineer
- New Mexico$141,490
- District of Columbia$130,000
- Alaska$129,990
- California$126,370
- Massachusetts$122,670
Which should you choose?
On pay alone, engineering managers earn about 64% more at the median — but location and specialization routinely move pay by more than that gap.
Pick engineering manager if…
Engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architecture and engineering, leading teams and owning technical delivery.
- ▹Team size and scope of responsibility
- ▹Industry (tech and oil & gas pay above average)
- ▹Years of management experience
Pick mechanical engineer if…
Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test mechanical and thermal devices, from engines and tools to HVAC and manufacturing systems.
- ▹Industry (aerospace and oil & gas pay above automotive/consumer)
- ▹Professional Engineer (PE) license
- ▹Years of experience
Engineering Manager vs Mechanical Engineer — frequently asked
Who earns more, engineering managers or mechanical engineers?
What is the salary range for engineering managers vs mechanical engineers?
Should I become a engineering manager or a mechanical engineer?
Source details
Published wage from BLS OEWS May 2024 for SOC 11-9041 (Architectural and Engineering Managers), national.
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →