Construction Managers vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Construction Managers professionals earn $4,660 more per year than Mechanical Engineers professionals — that's 4.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Construction Managers earns $176,990 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$65,160$176,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Construction Managers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,160 | $68,740 | $-3,580 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,480 | $81,800 | +$1,680 |
| Median (50th) | $106,980 | $102,320 | +$4,660 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,330 | $130,290 | +$9,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,990 | $161,240 | +$15,750 |
| Mean (Average) | $119,660 | $110,080 | +$9,580 |
Employment Numbers
Construction Managers
348,330
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
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: Construction Managers or Mechanical Engineers?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $4,660 (4.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
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 Construction Managers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 348,330 Construction Managers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Construction Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Construction Managers has a median salary of $106,980 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