Mechanical Engineers vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $30,760 more per year than Mechanical Engineers professionals — that's 30.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Mechanical Engineers earns $161,240 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$68,740$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Mechanical Engineers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $68,740 | $79,850 | $-11,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,800 | $103,050 | $-21,250 |
| Median (50th) | $102,320 | $133,080 | $-30,760 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,290 | $169,000 | $-38,710 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,240 | $211,450 | $-50,210 |
| Mean (Average) | $110,080 | $144,570 | $-34,490 |
Employment Numbers
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Mechanical Engineers or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,760 (30.1% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Mechanical Engineers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Mechanical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Mechanical Engineers has a median salary of $102,320 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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