Industrial Machinery Mechanic Salary in Appleton, WI
Industrial Machinery Mechanics in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $65,980 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $53,073 take-home, or $4,423 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median industrial machinery mechanic salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,738
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,091
- Medicare (1.45%)$957
- Wisconsin income tax$2,122
- Take-home pay$53,073
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Industrial Machinery Mechanic pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,600 | $24.33 | $41,392 | $3,449 |
| 25th percentile | $61,740 | $29.68 | $49,853 | $4,154 |
| Median (50th) | $65,980 | $31.72 | $53,073 | $4,423 |
| 75th percentile | $77,920 | $37.46 | $60,897 | $5,075 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,580 | $40.66 | $65,230 | $5,436 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,980 buys in Appleton, WI
Prices in Appleton, WI are 7.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median industrial machinery mechanic's $53,073 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,426 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Appleton, WI has 2.9× the national concentration of industrial machinery mechanic jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for industrial machinery mechanics, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #49 of 167 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Longview, WA | $96,950 | $77,034 | $78,973 |
| 2 | Jackson, TN | $76,260 | $62,479 | $73,056 |
| 3 | Wichita, KS | $83,540 | $63,739 | $71,660 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $83,380 | $63,341 | $71,356 |
| 5 | Waterloo, IA | $77,850 | $61,291 | $70,403 |
| 6 | Decatur, AL | $76,990 | $59,408 | $68,119 |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $73,800 | $58,596 | $65,865 |
| 8 | Owensboro, KY | $73,010 | $57,755 | $65,179 |
| 49 | Appleton, WI | $65,980 | $53,073 | $57,426 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 167 metros →
Industrial Machinery Mechanic salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Oshkosh, WI — $75,680
- Milwaukee, WI — $72,680
- Green Bay, WI — $67,090
- Wausau, WI — $64,040
- Madison, WI — $65,620
Frequently asked questions
How much does a industrial machinery mechanic make in Appleton, WI?
The median industrial machinery mechanic salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $65,980 a year, or about $31.72 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,740 and $77,920.
What is a industrial machinery mechanic’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $65,980 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $53,073 a year ($4,423 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,122 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a industrial machinery mechanic?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $64,520. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,426 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #49 of 167 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a industrial machinery mechanic afford rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Appleton, WI is $960 a month ($1,236 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median industrial machinery mechanic’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.