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Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians vs. Civil Engineers: Who Earns More?

Civil Engineerss out-earn Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicianss by $26K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicianss land at $74,510 and Civil Engineerss at $100,840. The education gap is real: mechanical engineering technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while civil engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicianss is Louisiana ($102,800); for Civil Engineerss it's California ($122,500).

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Civil Engineers
Median salary
$74,510
$100,840
Hourly rate
$35.82/hr
$48.48/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$48,400
$68,240
Senior level (90th %)
$106,050
$163,220
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
36,190
367,840
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
5%
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Top-paying state
Louisiana
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians median pay.

State
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Civil Engineers
Louisiana
$102,800
$105,380
New Mexico
$97,560
$103,900
California
$87,390
$122,500
Connecticut
$82,660
$103,150
Oregon
$80,840
$105,250
Nebraska
$80,050
$103,150
Washington
$79,410
$110,000
New York
$78,210
$103,760
Kentucky
$77,990
$100,930
Colorado
$77,090
$101,420
Nevada
$72,950
$104,310
South Carolina
$69,580
$101,600
New Jersey
$65,180
$104,660
Minnesota
$63,990
$101,480
Massachusetts
$62,390
$106,730

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicianss or Civil Engineerss?

Civil Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $74,510 for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicianss versus $100,840 for Civil Engineerss, a difference of $26K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians or Civil Engineers?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians or Civil Engineers?

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Civil Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicianss get paid the most?

Louisiana is the top-paying state for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicianss at $102,800/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians vs. Civil Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Louisiana, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicianss earn $102,800 vs. $105,380 for Civil Engineerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Civil Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Civil Engineerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a mechanical engineering technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a civil engineersGuide →