Mechanical Engineer Salary in Sun Prairie, WI: $93,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Sun Prairie, WI earns a median $93,554/year (≈ $44.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Sun Prairie's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $100,165 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, the 2026 projected compensation for mechanical engineers stands at an enticing $93,554 annually, significantly below the national median of $107,150. This competitive salary reflects a range from $65,304 at the lower end (P10) to $145,009 at the high end (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost levels, showcase the potential earnings for professionals in this field. Notably, achieving a Professional Engineer (PE) license, especially in HVAC and building systems, can further enhance salary prospects and open up additional career opportunities in the local job market.
About the Sun Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,304 | $31.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,354 | $38.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,554 | $44.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,562 | $57.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,009 | $69.72 |
Median Salary Position
12.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sun Prairie
In Sun Prairie, WI, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,705 (2026 est.). At $93,554, the local median is 12.69% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sun Prairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sun Prairie Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Sun Prairie median: $93,554/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sun Prairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $96,249 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -12.69% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Sun Prairie, WI earn a median of $93,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.69% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $96,249.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sun Prairie has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sun Prairie, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $93,554 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,165 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% 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
$77,210
2025 BLS Actual
$90,900
2026 Current Est.
$93,554
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Sun Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,208 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,884 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,216 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,286 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sun Prairie metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $77,210 (2019) to $90,900 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,286 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,076 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sun Prairie 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) | $65,304 – $79,354 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,354 – $93,554 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,554 – $119,562 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,562 – $145,009 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Sun Prairie
The job market for mechanical engineers in Sun Prairie comprises only nine professionals, indicating a specialized employment landscape. With a cost-of-living index at 93.4, wages may stretch further compared to higher-cost areas. Local employers that typically offer the most competitive mechanical engineer pay include those in the automotive and electric vehicle sectors, like Tesla and Rivian, as well as leading firms in aerospace such as Boeing and SpaceX. The disparity between salaries can be attributed to various factors, including industry dynamics—where aerospace roles often command higher pay than traditional automotive jobs. Additionally, the PE license generally increases earning potential, while specialized skills, such as security clearance for defense contractors, can also elevate pay. To maximize earnings in Sun Prairie, professionals should consider seeking positions in high-demand sectors, pursuing licensure, or exploring opportunities with tech-related firms that often offer valuable equity compensation.
More salary data for Sun Prairie, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Sun Prairie, WI in 2026?
Is Sun Prairie, WI a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Can mechanical engineers make $100K in Sun Prairie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted mechanical engineer salary in Sun Prairie?
How much does a mechanical engineer make per hour in Sun Prairie?
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 $90,900 for mechanical engineersin the Sun Prairie 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
Salary data for Sun Prairie is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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