Insurance Underwriters 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 $22,440 more per year than Insurance Underwriters professionals — that's 28.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Insurance Underwriters earns $138,020 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$51,640$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Insurance Underwriters | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,640 | $68,740 | $-17,100 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,070 | $81,800 | $-18,730 |
| Median (50th) | $79,880 | $102,320 | $-22,440 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,820 | $130,290 | $-25,470 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,020 | $161,240 | $-23,220 |
| Mean (Average) | $90,830 | $110,080 | $-19,250 |
Employment Numbers
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Insurance Underwriters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $106,380 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $103,270 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,860 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $98,500 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $98,400 |
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: Insurance Underwriters or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $22,440 (28.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Insurance Underwriters?
Insurance Underwriters salaries range from $51,640 (10th percentile) to $138,020 (90th percentile), with a median of $79,880.
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 Insurance Underwriters and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Insurance Underwriters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Insurance Underwriters has a median salary of $79,880 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