Mechanical Engineer Salary

Green Bay vs Platteville: Mechanical Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Green Bay, WI
$97,208
$46.74/hr
Platteville, WI
$89,973
$43.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreen Bay, WIPlatteville, WI
Median Salary$97,208$89,973
Hourly Rate$46.74$43.26
Entry Level (P10)$65,076$71,302
25th Percentile$77,488$74,647
75th Percentile$109,589$112,397
Top Earner (P90)$141,052$134,551
Total Employed4605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Green Bay ($97,208) and Platteville ($89,973) mechanical engineer salaries.Green BayPlattevilleMedian Salary$97,208$89,973Entry Level (P10)$65,076$71,302Top Earner (P90)$141,052$134,551US Median $107,150

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Green Bay and Platteville is $7,235 (8.04%). 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 Green Bay spans $75,976,Platteville spans $63,249. Green Bay has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Green Bay
P10 (Entry)$65,076
P25$77,488
Median$97,208
P75$109,589
P90 (Top)$141,052
Platteville
P10 (Entry)$71,302
P25$74,647
Median$89,973
P75$112,397
P90 (Top)$134,551

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Green Bay ($104,428 effective) pays 8.41% more than Platteville ($96,331 effective).

Green Bay
Nominal: $97,208
CoL Index: 93.086
Adjusted: $104,428
Platteville
Nominal: $89,973
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $96,331

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Green Bay if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,208/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($141,052)
  • Larger job market (460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,428)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Platteville if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, mechanical engineer salaries in Green Bay grew 17.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.4% growth in Platteville over the same period.

Green Bay, WI

+17.9%

$80,130 (2019) → $94,450 (2025)

Platteville, WI

+5.4%

$82,916 (2024) → $87,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Green Bay has a higher median mechanical engineer salary at $97,208/year, compared to Platteville at $89,973/year — a difference of $7,235 (8.04%).

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

Green Bay mechanical engineers earn $46.74/hr while Platteville hygienists earn $43.26/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Green Bay and Platteville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Green Bay = $104,428, Platteville = $96,331), job availability (460 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) mechanical engineers earn $65,076 in Green Bay and $71,302 in Platteville. The Platteville 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