Computer User Support Specialists 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 $41,980 more per year than Computer User Support Specialists professionals — that's 69.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer User Support Specialists earns $98,010 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer User Support Specialists$38,780 – $98,010
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$38,780$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer User Support Specialists | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,780 | $68,740 | $-29,960 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,580 | $81,800 | $-34,220 |
| Median (50th) | $60,340 | $102,320 | $-41,980 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,010 | $130,290 | $-53,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,010 | $161,240 | $-63,230 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,990 | $110,080 | $-45,090 |
Employment Numbers
Computer User Support Specialists
697,210
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer User Support Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $102,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,010 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $80,930 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $77,750 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,250 |
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: Computer User Support Specialists or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $41,980 (69.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer User Support Specialists?
Computer User Support Specialists salaries range from $38,780 (10th percentile) to $98,010 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,340.
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 Computer User Support Specialists and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,210 Computer User Support Specialists positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Computer User Support Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer User Support Specialists has a median salary of $60,340 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