Cost Estimators 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 $25,250 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 32.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$46,330$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $68,740 | $-22,410 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $81,800 | $-21,970 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $102,320 | $-25,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $130,290 | $-30,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $161,240 | $-32,600 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $110,080 | $-26,920 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
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: Cost Estimators or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,250 (32.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
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 Cost Estimators and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 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