SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Appleton
Appleton, WI · 10 metro areas compared
In Appleton, WI the median wage is $85,260.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Appleton, WI the median wage is $85,260. That is 18.1% lower than the national median of $104,110. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $77,790 and $102,470. The lowest tenth earn under $65,020, while the highest tenth earn more than $126,600.
Employment stands at 460, or 3.7 jobs per thousand held locally. La Crosse leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $102,280. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 67th of 347 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $65,020 | −37.5% |
| 25th | $77,790 | −25.3% |
| Median (50th) | $85,260 | −18.1% |
| 75th | $102,470 | −1.6% |
| 90th | $126,600 | +21.6% |
| Mean | $94,070 | −9.6% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Crosse | $102,280 | 190 | |
| 2 | Madison | $99,680 | 770 | |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $98,730 | 2,200 | |
| 4 | Sheboygan | $98,450 | 250 | |
| 5 | Fond du Lac | $95,410 | 210 | |
| 6 | Green Bay | $94,450 | 460 | |
| 7 | Janesville | $93,550 | 150 | |
| 8 | Racine | $93,310 | 290 | |
| 9 | Kenosha | $84,780 | 140 | |
| 10 | Oshkosh | $82,800 | 330 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Appleton run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $85,260 goes as far as $90,606 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$85,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$90,606US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $85,260 a year, 18.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $65,020 to $126,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 460 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is La Crosse, at $102,280.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Appleton, WI?
The median annual wage is $85,260, or $40.99 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $104,110, so pay in Appleton, WI is 18.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Appleton, WI earns more than $126,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $65,020 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in La Crosse, at $102,280 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 460 jobs in this occupation in Appleton, WI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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