Mechanical Engineer Salary in Fond du Lac, WI: $98,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Fond du Lac, WI earns a median $98,196/year (≈ $47.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Fond du Lac's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $107,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, mechanical engineer salaries are projected to reach a median annual figure of $98,196 in 2026. This positions the local compensation slightly below the national median of $107,150, reflecting a difference of about 8.36%. Salaries in Fond du Lac range widely, with entry-level positions (P10) earning approximately $76,819, while experienced professionals can command significantly higher pay, up to $163,550 (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and demonstrate a unique labor market where local industry dynamics, particularly from heavy hitters like Tesla and aerospace companies, influence overall compensation structures across the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,819 | $36.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,502 | $39.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,196 | $47.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,510 | $63.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,550 | $78.63 |
Median Salary Position
8.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fond du Lac
In Fond du Lac, WI, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,731 (2026 est.). At $98,196, the local median is 8.36% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fond du Lac: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fond du Lac Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Fond du Lac median: $98,196/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fond du Lac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $96,271 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | -8.36% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Fond du Lac, WI earn a median of $98,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.36% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 2.00% above the Wisconsin state average of $96,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fond du Lac has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fond du Lac, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.643 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $98,196 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,151 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$59,360
2025 BLS Actual
$95,410
2026 Current Est.
$98,196
2019–2027 Growth
+70.3%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,063 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fond du Lac metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 60.7% from $59,360 (2019) to $95,410 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,063 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,703 (70.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,819 – $81,502 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,502 – $98,196 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,196 – $132,510 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,510 – $163,550 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Fond du Lac
The mechanical engineer job market in Fond du Lac employs around 210 professionals, providing a steady demand for talent. With a cost-of-living index of 91.643, the area offers a favorable economic environment for take-home pay, allowing engineers to stretch their salaries further. Leading employers in the region span various industries, from automotive giants like Ford and GM to aerospace leaders such as Boeing and Raytheon. The variance in pay can be attributed to factors like industry demand, the necessity of a Professional Engineer (PE) license, and the influence of equity compensation from tech-affiliated companies. For those looking to maximize their mechanical engineer pay in Fond du Lac, acquiring relevant certifications, pursuing advanced degrees, and gaining specialized skills in high-demand sectors like aerospace and automotive engineering can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Fond du Lac, WI in 2026?
Is Fond du Lac, WI a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Can mechanical engineers make $100K in Fond du Lac?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted mechanical engineer salary in Fond du Lac?
How much does a mechanical engineer make per hour in Fond du Lac?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $95,410 for mechanical engineersin the Fond du Lac metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov