Electronics Engineers, Except Computer vs Mechanical Engineer: $130K vs $104K Median Pay

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer vs Mechanical Engineer: what changes?

Consider Electronics Engineers, Except Computer if you want to research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Consider Mechanical Engineer if you would rather perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer and Mechanical Engineer. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

National median pay (2025): $130,220
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 4,900

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Electronics Engineers, Except Computer brief

Mechanical Engineer

National median pay (2025): $104,110
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 17,800

Know before you choose

The work is often more screen-and-document heavy than the stereotype: CAD, calculations, specifications, email, reviews, and coordination can outweigh time in a shop.

See the full Mechanical Engineer brief

How the national numbers differ

Mechanical Engineer has the edge on projected growth

Mechanical Engineer is at 11.2% projected growth, compared with 3.7% projected growth for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer.

Mechanical Engineer has the edge on annual openings

Mechanical Engineer is at 17,800 annual openings, compared with 4,900 annual openings for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer.

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer has the edge on median pay

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer is at $130,220, compared with $104,110 for Mechanical Engineer.

62/ 100

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

76/ 100

Mechanical Engineer

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer vs Mechanical Engineer

Dimension	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	Mechanical Engineer
Median pay (2025)	$130,220	$104,110
Pay percentile	92.2 percentile	85.3 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	3.7%	11.2%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	4,900	17,800
2025 employment	98,200	298,500
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 4	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Electronics Engineers, Except Computer brief Read Mechanical Engineer brief

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer vs Mechanical Engineer: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Mechanical Engineer

How the national numbers differ

Mechanical Engineer has the edge on projected growth

Mechanical Engineer has the edge on annual openings

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer has the edge on median pay

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer vs Mechanical Engineer

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