Takeover Tracker
30%medium risk
Mechanical Engineers
vs

66 shared · 18 different

core competencies

34%medium risk
Electrical Engineers

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMechanical EngineersElectrical Engineers
Risk Score30.3%34.3%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile41th63th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)5 / 157 / 15
Median Salary$102,320$111,910
Employment287K189K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Mechanical
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Physics
Technology DesignAI-Augmented
Science
Operations Analysis
Design
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Chemistry

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Mechanical Engineers

31%

total discount

Electrical Engineers

31%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Mechanical Engineers

5 of 15 at risk
55%Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
53%Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
51%Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.
51%Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software.
51%Evaluate mechanical designs or prototypes for energy performance or environmental impact.

Electrical Engineers

7 of 15 at risk
86%Compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects.
80%Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
74%Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational, safety, or environmental standards.
71%Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
53%Plan layout of electric power generating plants or distribution lines or stations.

Wage Comparison

Electrical Engineers earns +$9,590(+9%) vs Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical EngineersElectrical Engineers
10th
$68,740$74,670
25th
$81,800$87,590
Median
$102,320$111,910
75th
$130,290$141,630
90th
$161,240$175,460

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Mechanical Engineers2028–2035
Electrical Engineers2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Mechanical Engineers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Electrical Engineers.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Mechanical Engineers

$71,297

from $102,320

Electrical Engineers

$73,581

from $111,910

After adjusting for AI risk, Electrical Engineers offers $2,284 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Mechanical

0

Unique to Electrical

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Regulatory Barriers
Social Intelligence
Fine Manipulation
Decision Complexity
Mechanical EngineersElectrical Engineers
Find transitions from Mechanical EngineersFind transitions from Electrical Engineers