Mechanical Engineers vs Transit and Railroad Police: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $20,000 more per year than Transit and Railroad Police professionals — that's 24.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Mechanical Engineers earns $161,240 compared to $141,870 for Transit and Railroad Police.
Salary Range Comparison
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
Transit and Railroad Police$58,370 – $141,870
$58,370$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Mechanical Engineers | Transit and Railroad Police | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $68,740 | $58,370 | +$10,370 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,800 | $65,920 | +$15,880 |
| Median (50th) | $102,320 | $82,320 | +$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,290 | $114,040 | +$16,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,240 | $141,870 | +$19,370 |
| Mean (Average) | $110,080 | $91,820 | +$18,260 |
Employment Numbers
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Transit and Railroad Police
3,000
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 Transit and Railroad Police
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,490 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $91,930 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,220 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $86,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Mechanical Engineers or Transit and Railroad Police?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $20,000 (24.3% 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 Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police salaries range from $58,370 (10th percentile) to $141,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $82,320.
How many Mechanical Engineers and Transit and Railroad Police jobs are there?
There are approximately 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions and 3,000 Transit and Railroad Police positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Transit and Railroad Police to Mechanical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Mechanical Engineers has a median salary of $102,320 while Transit and Railroad Police earns $82,320. 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