Mechanical Engineer vs Project Manager

Side-by-side career comparison in oil & gas

	Mechanical Engineer	Project Manager
Average Salary	$87,357 - $125,066	$100,205 - $145,269
BLS Median	$95,300 (BLS median)	$101,480 (BLS median)
Open Positions	35	122
Education	B.S. in Mechanical Engineering	B.S. in Engineering or Business; MBA preferred
Key Certifications	PE License FE/EIT	PMP (Project Management Professional) Six Sigma
Top Skills	excel drilling completions artificial lift hydraulic fracturing Mechanical Engineering Process Chemical Industry PFDs	excel Project Management drilling Communication Project management Leadership Time Management Engineering
Top Hiring Companies	NOV (3) Kiewit (2) Acteon Group Ltd. (1) Kiewit Corporation (1) Engtal (1)	Oceaneering (5) Kiewit (3) Mclaurin Aerospace (2) Tesla (2) James Construction Group, LLC (2)
Experience Levels	Student: 3, Senior Level: 6, Entry Level: 25, Mid Level: 1	Entry Level: 98, Senior Level: 20, Student: 1, Mid Level: 3
Career Path	Entry Level → Mid Level → Senior → Lead/Principal View full career path →	Entry Level → Mid Level → Senior → Lead/Principal View full career path →

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