Mechanical Engineers vs Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $102,320 more per year than Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals.
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Mechanical Engineers or Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $102,320 (null% 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 and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Salary data for Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers is not currently available.
How many Mechanical Engineers and Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions and N/A Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers to Mechanical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Mechanical Engineers has a median salary of $102,320 while Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $0. 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