Environmental Engineer vs Mechatronics Engineer: Which Pays More?

Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.

National Median Salary Comparison
Environmental Engineer
$88,000
Mechatronics Engineer
$98,000
Higher Pay
Engineering

Environmental Engineer

Design systems to protect and improve environmental quality.

National Median
$88,000/yr
Entry
$72,439
Mid
$106,415
Senior
$156,326
+6% demand/yr35% AI risk
EPA RegulationsWater TreatmentAir QualityGIS
Full Environmental Engineer salary data โ†’
Higher Pay
Engineering

Mechatronics Engineer

Combine mechanical, electrical, and software engineering to design smart systems.

National Median
$98,000/yr
Entry
$82,647
Mid
$121,411
Senior
$178,356
+18% demand/yr20% AI risk
PLC ProgrammingRoboticsCADEmbedded Systems
Full Mechatronics Engineer salary data โ†’
Verdict

Mechatronics Engineer earns more on average โ€” the national median is $10,000/year (11%) higher than a Environmental Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level โ€” see the city-by-city breakdown below.

Environmental Engineer vs Mechatronics Engineer โ€” Salary by City

National median figures in USD across top cities.

CityEnvironmental EngineerMechatronics EngineerDifference
San Francisco, CA$126,105$141,921Environmental $15,816
New York, NY$106,415$121,411Environmental $14,996
Seattle, WA$126,941$141,504Environmental $14,563
Austin, TX$96,277$108,793Environmental $12,516
Chicago, IL$93,017$105,459Environmental $12,442
Boston, MA$114,779$131,371Environmental $16,592
London, UKยฃ67,536ยฃ75,125Environmental $7,589
Toronto, CanadaCA$115,698CA$127,248Environmental $11,550
Pay Gap
11%
Mechatronics Engineer earns more
Demand Growth
6% vs 18%
Environmental Engineer vs Mechatronics Engineer YoY
AI Risk
35% vs 20%
Environmental Engineer vs Mechatronics Engineer

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Environmental Engineer or Mechatronics Engineer earn more?+

A Mechatronics Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Environmental Engineer is $88,000/year, compared to $98,000/year for a Mechatronics Engineer โ€” a difference of $10,000 (11%).

Which has better career growth โ€” Environmental Engineer or Mechatronics Engineer?+

Environmental Engineer roles are growing at 6% YoY while Mechatronics Engineer demand is growing at 18% YoY. Mechatronics Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.

Can you switch from Environmental Engineer to Mechatronics Engineer?+

Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: analytical thinking, communication, and industry knowledge.

Which is harder to automate โ€” Environmental Engineer or Mechatronics Engineer?+

Mechatronics Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (20% vs 35%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.