Instructional Coordinators 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 $27,600 more per year than Instructional Coordinators professionals — that's 36.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Instructional Coordinators earns $115,410 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Instructional Coordinators$46,560 – $115,410
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$46,560$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Instructional Coordinators | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,560 | $68,740 | $-22,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,120 | $81,800 | $-22,680 |
| Median (50th) | $74,720 | $102,320 | $-27,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $94,780 | $130,290 | $-35,510 |
| 90th Percentile | $115,410 | $161,240 | $-45,830 |
| Mean (Average) | $77,600 | $110,080 | $-32,480 |
Employment Numbers
Instructional Coordinators
210,850
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Instructional Coordinators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $113,210 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,720 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $101,670 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $101,460 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $100,400 |
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: Instructional Coordinators or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,600 (36.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Instructional Coordinators?
Instructional Coordinators salaries range from $46,560 (10th percentile) to $115,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $74,720.
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 Instructional Coordinators and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 210,850 Instructional Coordinators positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Instructional Coordinators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Instructional Coordinators has a median salary of $74,720 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