Child, Family, and School Social Workers 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 $43,750 more per year than Child, Family, and School Social Workers professionals — that's 74.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns $94,030 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$40,580 – $94,030
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$40,580$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Child, Family, and School Social Workers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,580 | $68,740 | $-28,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,480 | $81,800 | $-34,320 |
| Median (50th) | $58,570 | $102,320 | $-43,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,060 | $130,290 | $-56,230 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,030 | $161,240 | $-67,210 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,920 | $110,080 | $-47,160 |
Employment Numbers
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
382,960
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Child, Family, and School Social Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $80,280 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,700 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $76,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,780 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $74,530 |
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: Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $43,750 (74.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
Child, Family, and School Social Workers salaries range from $40,580 (10th percentile) to $94,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $58,570.
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 Child, Family, and School Social Workers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 382,960 Child, Family, and School Social Workers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Child, Family, and School Social Workers has a median salary of $58,570 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