Mechanical Engineer Salary in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: $88,279 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earns a median $88,279/year (≈ $42.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Wisconsin Rapids's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $94,517 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, mechanical engineers in Wisconsin Rapids can anticipate a median annual salary of $88,279, which reflects the shifting dynamics in the compensation landscape influenced by leading employers in the aerospace and automotive sectors. The full salary range stretches from $67,146 at the 10th percentile to $129,123 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the competitive pressures from major companies like Tesla and SpaceX that offer equity and restrictive stock units (RSUs), contributing to more comprehensive compensation packages. In Wisconsin Rapids, the local job market for mechanical engineers shows potential, yet the average salary lags significantly behind the national figure of $107,150, showing a correlation with both industry presence and economic conditions in the region.
About the Wisconsin Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,146 | $32.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,196 | $34.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,279 | $42.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,227 | $52.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,123 | $62.08 |
Median Salary Position
17.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wisconsin Rapids
In Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,977 (2026 est.). At $88,279, the local median is 17.61% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wisconsin Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wisconsin Rapids Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Wisconsin Rapids median: $88,279/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wisconsin Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $96,269 | -8.30% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -17.61% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earn a median of $88,279 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.61% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 8.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $96,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wisconsin Rapids 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.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $88,279 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,517 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,856
2025 BLS Actual
$85,774
2026 Current Est.
$88,279
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Wisconsin Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,856 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,281 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,516 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,348 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,984 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,354 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,774 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,279 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,856 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin Rapids metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $72,856 (2019) to $85,774 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,856 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,000 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin Rapids 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) | $67,146 – $71,196 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,196 – $88,279 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,279 – $108,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,227 – $129,123 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Wisconsin Rapids
With only five mechanical engineers employed in Wisconsin Rapids, the local job market is relatively limited, which can impact salary negotiations and opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 93.4, meaning overall expenses are lower than the national average. This financial reality allows for a more favorable take-home pay, though it also means that competition for high-paying roles may be less fierce, particularly in industries such as HVAC and heavy equipment. Companies like Caterpillar and various engineering consulting firms may provide more stable compensation, while innovation-driven sectors, like those involving advanced aerospace technology, tend to pay a premium. Understanding the drivers of salary disparities, including the demand for security clearance, the value of a PE license, and the potential for equity at tech-centric companies, will be essential for engineers in this market. For those hoping to maximize their mechanical engineer pay in Wisconsin Rapids, pursuing specialization in high-demand areas or seeking positions with employers that prioritize equity could yield a more lucrative career.
More salary data for Wisconsin Rapids, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $85,774 for mechanical engineersin the Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids 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