Mechanical Engineer salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Mechanical Engineers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $98,730 a year ($47.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,600 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $95,870. There are 2.7 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,290, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| 25th percentile | $79,070 | $38.01 |
| Median | $98,730 | $47.46 |
| 75th percentile | $109,680 | $52.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,600 | $63.75 |
| Average (mean) | $98,290 | $47.25 |
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 | $8,227.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,113.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,797.31 |
| Weekly | $1,898.65 |
| Hourly | $47.46 |
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 |
| 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,020 | $48.09 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,190 | $46.24 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,950 | $47.57 |
| Environmental Engineer | $86,360 | $41.52 |
| Engineers, All Other | $106,320 | $51.12 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $109,220 | $52.51 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $129,640 | $62.33 |
| Materials Engineer | $96,790 | $46.53 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $93,710 | $45.05 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,660 | $35.89 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,680 | $47.93 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $98,730 a year, or $47.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $132,600 a year. The top 25% earn $109,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,390 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,070 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 2,200 mechanical engineers are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.