Mechanical Engineer salary in Madison, WI
Mechanical Engineers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $99,680 a year ($47.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,820 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 4% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $95,870. There are 1.9 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $103,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,040 | $36.56 |
| 25th percentile | $80,610 | $38.75 |
| Median | $99,680 | $47.93 |
| 75th percentile | $121,590 | $58.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,820 | $64.34 |
| Average (mean) | $103,480 | $49.75 |
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 | $8,306.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,153.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,833.85 |
| Weekly | $1,916.92 |
| Hourly | $47.93 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Appleton, WI | $85,260 | 460 |
| 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 Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,370 | $48.25 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Engineers, All Other | $110,360 | $53.06 |
| Environmental Engineer | $90,560 | $43.54 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $103,170 | $49.60 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Materials Engineer | $111,050 | $53.39 |
| Chemical Engineer | $97,190 | $46.73 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $72,210 | $34.71 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,210 | $47.70 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,970 | $37.00 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,420 | $31.45 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Madison, 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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Madison, WI metro area is $99,680 a year, or $47.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $133,820 a year. The top 25% earn $121,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,040 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $80,610 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Madison, WI?
About 770 mechanical engineers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.