Financial Examiners 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 $11,920 more per year than Financial Examiners professionals — that's 13.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Examiners earns $171,540 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Examiners$53,420 – $171,540
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$53,420$171,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Examiners | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $53,420 | $68,740 | $-15,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,800 | $81,800 | $-15,000 |
| Median (50th) | $90,400 | $102,320 | $-11,920 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,210 | $130,290 | $-3,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,540 | $161,240 | +$10,300 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,650 | $110,080 | $-6,430 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Examiners
62,830
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Examiners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $139,790 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,190 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $131,670 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,450 |
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: Financial Examiners or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,920 (13.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Examiners?
Financial Examiners salaries range from $53,420 (10th percentile) to $171,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,400.
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 Financial Examiners and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 62,830 Financial Examiners positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Financial Examiners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Examiners has a median salary of $90,400 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