Civil Engineers 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 $2,730 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 2.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$65,920$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $68,740 | $-2,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $81,800 | $-3,010 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $102,320 | $-2,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $130,290 | $-2,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $161,240 | $-250 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $110,080 | $-3,030 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
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: Civil Engineers or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,730 (2.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
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 Civil Engineers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 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