Mechanical engineers vs Electrical engineers: Salary Compared
A Electrical engineers earns more — a median £60,303 vs £51,110 for a Mechanical engineers. That is £9,193 more per year (18%). Real ONS ASHE figures, April 2025.
Quick answer
In the UK, a Electrical engineers is paid more than a Mechanical engineers: median gross pay of £60,303 versus £51,110 — a £9,193 (18%) gap. Source: ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3.
Pay compared, side by side
Gross annual pay for full-time UK employees, ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3.
| Measure | Mechanical engineers | Electrical engineers |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £33,274 | £33,986 |
| 25th percentile | £39,125 | £43,003 |
| Median | £51,110 | £60,303 |
| 75th percentile | £62,237 | £73,899 |
| 90th percentile | — | — |
SOC 2020 codes: Mechanical engineers = 2122; Electrical engineers = 2123.
Regional pay gap
The pay gap is widest in Scotland, where a Electrical engineers earns a median £58,293 versus £38,478 for a Mechanical engineers — a £19,815 difference. Regional medians are published by ONS where the sample is large enough.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a Mechanical engineers or a Electrical engineers earn more in the UK?
- A Electrical engineers earns more. The median UK gross annual pay is £60,303 for a Electrical engineers versus £51,110 for a Mechanical engineers — a difference of £9,193 (18% more). Source: ONS ASHE, April 2025.
- What is the typical salary range for a Mechanical engineers?
- Most Mechanical engineers earn between £39,125–£62,237 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £51,110. Top earners (90th percentile) reach higher.
- What is the typical salary range for a Electrical engineers?
- Most Electrical engineers earn between £43,003–£73,899 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £60,303. Top earners (90th percentile) reach higher.
- Where do these pay figures come from?
- From the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3) — gross annual pay for full-time employees by 4-digit SOC 2020 occupation, published under the Open Government Licence. These are medians, not guarantees: individual pay varies by employer, region and experience.
Data: Office for National Statistics — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3. Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures are medians for full-time employees and do not guarantee individual pay. A Gera Systems product.