Mechanical Engineer salary in Appleton, WI
Mechanical Engineers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $85,260 a year ($40.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,600 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 11% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $95,870. There are 3.7 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| 25th percentile | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| Median | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| 75th percentile | $102,470 | $49.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,600 | $60.87 |
| Average (mean) | $94,070 | $45.22 |
Half of mechanical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,105 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,552.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,279.23 |
| Weekly | $1,639.62 |
| Hourly | $40.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $102,280 | 190 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $101,180 | 4,450 |
| Madison, WI | $99,680 | 770 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $98,730 | 2,200 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $98,450 | 250 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $95,410 | 210 |
| Green Bay, WI | $94,450 | 460 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $93,550 | 150 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $93,310 | 290 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $90,490 | 230 |
| Kenosha, WI | $84,780 | 140 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $82,800 | 330 |
| Wausau, WI | $79,340 | 240 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $78,360 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $95,380 | $45.86 |
| Civil Engineer | $92,590 | $44.51 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,670 | $48.88 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,170 | $51.52 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,790 | $28.74 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,200 | $33.75 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $64,320 | $30.92 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $110,990 | $53.36 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $74,040 | $35.60 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Appleton, WI?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Appleton, WI metro area is $85,260 a year, or $40.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $126,600 a year. The top 25% earn $102,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,020 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $77,790 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Appleton, WI?
About 460 mechanical engineers are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.