Accountants and Auditors vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $20,640 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 25.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$52,780$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $68,740 | $-15,960 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $81,800 | $-17,140 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $102,320 | $-20,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $130,290 | $-23,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $161,240 | $-19,820 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $110,080 | $-16,560 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Mechanical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $126,870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $124,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $20,640 (25.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS