Mechanical Engineers vs Natural Sciences Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $58,860 more per year than Mechanical Engineers professionals — that's 57.5% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
$68,740$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Mechanical Engineers | Natural Sciences Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $68,740 | $79,830 | $-11,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,800 | $114,110 | $-32,310 |
| Median (50th) | $102,320 | $161,180 | $-58,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,290 | $214,820 | $-84,530 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,240 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $110,080 | $173,500 | $-63,420 |
Employment Numbers
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Mechanical Engineers or Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $58,860 (57.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
How many Mechanical Engineers and Natural Sciences Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions and 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Natural Sciences Managers to Mechanical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Mechanical Engineers has a median salary of $102,320 while Natural Sciences Managers earns $161,180. 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