Mechanical Engineers vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $8,720 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 9.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Mechanical Engineers earns $161,240 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$66,030$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Mechanical Engineers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $68,740 | $66,030 | +$2,710 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,800 | $78,610 | +$3,190 |
| Median (50th) | $102,320 | $93,600 | +$8,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,290 | $107,960 | +$22,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,240 | $135,320 | +$25,920 |
| Mean (Average) | $110,080 | $98,430 | +$11,650 |
Employment Numbers
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Mechanical Engineers or Registered Nurses?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,720 (9.3% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Mechanical Engineers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Mechanical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Mechanical Engineers has a median salary of $102,320 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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