Mechanical Engineer Salary

Franklin vs Green Bay: Mechanical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare mechanical engineer salaries between Franklin, WI and Green Bay, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Franklin, WI
$92,560
$44.50/hr
Green Bay, WI
$97,208
$46.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, WIGreen Bay, WI
Median Salary$92,560$97,208
Hourly Rate$44.50$46.74
Entry Level (P10)$70,620$65,076
25th Percentile$75,254$77,488
75th Percentile$117,127$109,589
Top Earner (P90)$142,292$141,052
Total Employed8460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($92,560) and Green Bay ($97,208) mechanical engineer salaries.FranklinGreen BayMedian Salary$92,560$97,208Entry Level (P10)$70,620$65,076Top Earner (P90)$142,292$141,052US Median $107,150

Verdict

Green Bay, WI offers better overall compensation for mechanical engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Franklin.

The salary gap between Franklin and Green Bay is $4,648 (5.02%). Green Bay's median is -9.28% compared to the US national median of $107,150.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $71,672,Green Bay spans $75,976. Green Bay has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced mechanical engineers.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$70,620
P25$75,254
Median$92,560
P75$117,127
P90 (Top)$142,292
Green Bay
P10 (Entry)$65,076
P25$77,488
Median$97,208
P75$109,589
P90 (Top)$141,052

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Green Bay ($104,428 effective) pays 5.38% more than Franklin ($99,101 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $92,560
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $99,101
Green Bay
Nominal: $97,208
CoL Index: 93.086
Adjusted: $104,428

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($142,292)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Green Bay if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,208/year)
  • Larger job market (460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,428)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, mechanical engineer salaries in Franklin grew 5.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.9% growth in Green Bay over the same period.

Franklin, WI

+5.4%

$85,300 (2024) → $89,934 (2025)

Green Bay, WI

+17.9%

$80,130 (2019) → $94,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays mechanical engineers more: Franklin or Green Bay?

Green Bay has a higher median mechanical engineer salary at $97,208/year, compared to Franklin at $92,560/year — a difference of $4,648 (5.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Green Bay?

Franklin mechanical engineers earn $44.50/hr while Green Bay hygienists earn $46.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Green Bay as a mechanical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Green Bay. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $99,101, Green Bay = $104,428), job availability (8 vs 460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level mechanical engineers earn in Franklin vs Green Bay?

Entry-level (10th percentile) mechanical engineers earn $70,620 in Franklin and $65,076 in Green Bay. The Franklin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, PE

Career Analyst

Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Robinson, PhDData verified by Lina Zhang, MS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.92% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov