Mechanical Engineers vs Personal Financial Advisors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $180 more per year than Personal Financial Advisors professionals — that's 0.2% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
Personal Financial Advisors$49,990 – N/A
$49,990$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Mechanical Engineers | Personal Financial Advisors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $68,740 | $49,990 | +$18,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,800 | $70,620 | +$11,180 |
| Median (50th) | $102,320 | $102,140 | +$180 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,290 | $172,540 | $-42,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,240 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $110,080 | $160,210 | $-50,130 |
Employment Numbers
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Personal Financial Advisors
270,480
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 Personal Financial Advisors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $168,350 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,510 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $126,690 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $126,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Mechanical Engineers or Personal Financial Advisors?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $180 (0.2% 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 Personal Financial Advisors?
Personal Financial Advisors salaries range from $49,990 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,140.
How many Mechanical Engineers and Personal Financial Advisors jobs are there?
There are approximately 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions and 270,480 Personal Financial Advisors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Personal Financial Advisors to Mechanical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Mechanical Engineers has a median salary of $102,320 while Personal Financial Advisors earns $102,140. 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