Cooks, Restaurant 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 $65,490 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 177.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$28,010$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $68,740 | $-40,730 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $81,800 | $-50,490 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $102,320 | $-65,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $130,290 | $-86,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $161,240 | $-113,900 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $110,080 | $-72,350 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $46,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,960 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $45,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,040 |
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: Cooks, Restaurant or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $65,490 (177.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant salaries range from $28,010 (10th percentile) to $47,340 (90th percentile), with a median of $36,830.
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 Cooks, Restaurant and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 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