Data Scientists vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $10,270 more per year than Mechanical Engineers professionals — that's 10.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$63,650$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $68,740 | $-5,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $81,800 | +$830 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $102,320 | +$10,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $130,290 | +$25,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $161,240 | +$33,170 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $110,080 | +$14,510 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Mechanical Engineers?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $10,270 (10.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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