Mechanical engineers vs Skilled trades occupations Salary (2025)

How do Mechanical engineers and Skilled trades occupations salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Mechanical engineers earns £15,080 more per year (43% higher)

Mechanical engineers

£49,999
per year
vs

Skilled trades occupations

£34,919
per year

Detailed Comparison

MetricMechanical engineersSkilled trades occupationsDifference
Median Annual£49,999£34,919+£15,080
Mean Annual£53,850£36,896+£16,954
Monthly£4,167£2,910+£1,257
Weekly£962£672+£290
Hourly£24.04£16.79+£7.25

Salary Range Comparison

PercentileMechanical engineersSkilled trades occupations
10th (Entry)£31,219£19,202
25th£40,001£27,269
50th (Median)£49,999£34,919
75th£62,548£44,593
90th (Senior)£0£56,036
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Mechanical engineers or a Skilled trades occupations?
A Mechanical engineers earns more. The median salary for a Mechanical engineers is £49,999, whilst a Skilled trades occupations earns £34,919 — a difference of £15,080 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Mechanical engineers and a Skilled trades occupations?
The difference is £15,080 per year. Mechanical engineers is the higher-paid role.
Should I become a Mechanical engineers or a Skilled trades occupations?
From a salary perspective, Mechanical engineers offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

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