Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Environmental Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer salary

In United States, a mechanical engineer earns about 5% more than a environmental engineer $112,000 vs $107,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Engineering
Environmental Engineer
$107,000/yr
Monthly
$8,900
Hourly
$51
Range
$74,300$147,000
10-yr outlook
+7%
Pays more
Engineering
Mechanical Engineer
$112,000/yr
Monthly
$9,300
Hourly
$54
Range
$76,700$155,100
10-yr outlook
+10%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileEnvironmental EngineerMechanical Engineer
Entry (10th)$74,300$76,700
25th$90,600$94,400
Median$107,000$112,000
75th$127,000$133,600
Senior (90th)$147,000$155,100

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Engineering comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a environmental engineer or mechanical engineer earn more in United States?
A mechanical engineer earns more, at about $112,000 per year vs $107,000 for a environmental engineer — roughly 5% ($5,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A environmental engineer typically earns $74,300–$147,000, while a mechanical engineer earns $76,700–$155,100 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a environmental engineer averages about $8,900 and a mechanical engineer about $9,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a environmental engineer earns about $74,300 while a mechanical engineer earns about $76,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a environmental engineer earns about $147,000 while a mechanical engineer earns about $155,100 per year.
Are environmental engineer and mechanical engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Engineering category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.