Mechanical Engineer Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Mechanical Engineers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $98,730 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,434 take-home, or $6,203 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,891
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,121
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,432
- Wisconsin income tax$3,852
- Take-home pay$74,434
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,390 | $31.44 | $52,625 | $4,385 |
| 25th percentile | $79,070 | $38.01 | $61,646 | $5,137 |
| Median (50th) | $98,730 | $47.47 | $74,434 | $6,203 |
| 75th percentile | $109,680 | $52.73 | $81,557 | $6,796 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,600 | $63.75 | $96,251 | $8,021 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,730 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $74,434 take-home pay has the buying power of $76,786 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Milwaukee, WI has 1.4× the national concentration of mechanical engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #90 of 115 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $135,530 | $100,221 | $110,400 |
| 2 | Beaumont, TX | $122,280 | $94,844 | $105,329 |
| 3 | Peoria, IL | $128,710 | $93,013 | $101,953 |
| 4 | Columbus, IN | $127,700 | $94,811 | $101,944 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $168,030 | $112,533 | $101,911 |
| 6 | Augusta, GA | $128,740 | $93,201 | $101,412 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $125,350 | $96,943 | $98,290 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $124,780 | $96,553 | $96,477 |
| 90 | Milwaukee, WI | $98,730 | $74,434 | $76,786 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 115 metros →
Mechanical Engineer salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Madison, WI — $99,680
- Green Bay, WI — $94,450
- Appleton, WI — $85,260
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $98,730 a year, or about $47.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,070 and $109,680.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $98,730 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $74,434 a year ($6,203 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,852 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $76,786 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #90 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Industrial Engineer — $100,020
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $99,680
- Electrical Engineer — $98,950
- Civil Engineer — $96,190
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $76,200
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $74,660
- Mechanical Drafter — $69,150
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $65,270
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $61,960