SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Eau Claire, WI is $78,360 a year, trailing the national median of $104,110 by 24.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Eau Claire, WI is $78,360 a year, trailing the national median of $104,110 by 24.7%. Half of workers earn between $72,990 and $97,970. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $60,990 and the ninetieth at $126,550.
The area has 160 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.8 of every thousand jobs. 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 65th of 305 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,990 | −41.4% |
| 25th | $72,990 | −29.9% |
| Median (50th) | $78,360 | −24.7% |
| 75th | $97,970 | −5.9% |
| 90th | $126,550 | +21.6% |
| Mean | $89,000 | −14.5% |
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 | Appleton | $85,260 | 460 | |
| 10 | Kenosha | $84,780 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eau Claire run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $78,360 goes as far as $83,273 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,360as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$83,273US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,360 a year, 24.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $60,990 to $126,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 160 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 Eau Claire, WI?
The median annual wage is $78,360, or $37.67 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 Eau Claire, WI is 24.7% 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 Eau Claire, WI earns more than $126,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $60,990 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 160 jobs in this occupation in Eau Claire, 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.
Explore related data