How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Wisconsin?

The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Wisconsin is around $130,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Wisconsin state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $93,913 annually ($7,826/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in Wisconsin?

On a $130,000 salary in Wisconsin, your take-home pay is approximately $93,913/year or $7,826/month. Federal tax: $19,934. State tax: $6,208. FICA: $9,945.

Is $130,000 a good Mechanical Engineer salary?

$130,000 is a strong salary for a Mechanical Engineer — above the national median. In Wisconsin, demand for this role is active.

How do Wisconsin taxes affect Mechanical Engineer salaries?

Wisconsin levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $130,000 is $6,208. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 27.8%.

What are the career growth prospects for Mechanical Engineers?

10% growth through 2032 (faster than average); EV/aerospace/defense subspecialties growing faster, manufacturing slower. Related roles include: Aerospace Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Design Engineer, Thermal Engineer, Test Engineer, Project Engineer, Principal Mechanical Engineer, PE Mechanical.

How can a Mechanical Engineer in Wisconsin reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Engineering

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Wisconsin (2026)

Average Mechanical Engineer pay in Wisconsin

$130,000/year

≈ $63/hour before tax

After tax (single filer)

$93,913/year

$7,826/month · effective tax rate 27.76%

Federal $19,934
State $6,208
FICA $9,945
Take-home

Pay by role in Wisconsin

Senior Principal Engineer / Fellow$165,000–$285,000+ TC
Senior ME (Powertrain / Engines)$118,000–$185,000
Senior ME (Industrial Automation)$125,000–$190,000
Senior ME (Marine / Recreational)$118,000–$185,000
Senior ME (Building Automation)$125,000–$185,000
Senior ME (Tools / Snap-on)$118,000–$175,000

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$93,913
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$7,826
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$3,612
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$45/hr
Federal Tax	$19,934
State Tax	$6,208
FICA Taxes	$9,945
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	27.76%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Mechanical Engineers earn the same — not even close

Wisconsin's mechanical engineer market is anchored by Harley-Davidson HQ Milwaukee (~5K Pilgrim Road manufacturing + Juneau Avenue HQ powertrain + chassis + connected vehicle engineering), Rockwell Automation HQ Milwaukee (~$9B revenue industrial automation + drives + control systems), Briggs & Stratton Wauwatosa (small engines), Mercury Marine Fond du Lac (~3K, Brunswick Corporation marine outboard engines — country's #1 outboard motor manufacturer), Johnson Controls Milwaukee (building automation + battery + HVAC), Snap-on HQ Kenosha (~$5B tools), A.O. Smith Milwaukee (water heaters), Kohler Company Kohler (engines + kitchen + bath), plus Foxconn Mount Pleasant + Trek Bicycle Waterloo.

Senior Principal Engineer / Fellow

$165,000–$285,000+ TC

Harley · Rockwell · Mercury · Johnson Controls senior IC · technical fellow track · 10-15 patents typical

Senior ME (Powertrain / Engines)

$118,000–$185,000

Harley-Davidson V-Twin + Revolution Max · Mercury Marine V8 + V12 outboards · Briggs small engines

Senior ME (Industrial Automation)

$125,000–$190,000

Rockwell Automation · FactoryTalk + Connected Enterprise · drives + motors + I/O hardware

Senior ME (Marine / Recreational)

$118,000–$185,000

Mercury Marine Fond du Lac · Brunswick Corporation · #1 US outboard manufacturer · 3-300+ HP

Senior ME (Building Automation)

$125,000–$185,000

Johnson Controls building HVAC + fire + security · post-2017 Tyco merger building automation

Senior ME (Tools / Snap-on)

$118,000–$175,000

Snap-on Kenosha · automotive + industrial hand + power tools · dealer + commercial product engineering

Senior ME (Consumer Appliance)

$118,000–$175,000

Kohler engines + kitchen + bath · A.O. Smith water heaters · Sub-Zero Group appliances · NPI specialty

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

$108,000–$165,000

Plant manufacturing engineering · WI Fortune 500 · Six Sigma Black Belt premium · skilled trades support

Mid-Level ME (3-6 yrs)

$82,000–$125,000

Functional ME at WI Fortune 500 · transitioning to senior band · MS + PE-track

Junior ME (0-3 yrs)

$65,000–$88,000

UW-Madison ME + Marquette ME + Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) + UW-Platteville ME pipeline · FE/EIT

Worth knowing: Mercury Marine HQ Fond du Lac is the country's largest outboard motor manufacturer and a feature most national ME surveys understate for WI. Mercury Marine (~3K Fond du Lac employees, founded 1939, division of Brunswick Corporation since 1961, the country's #1 outboard motor manufacturer with substantial 3-HP through 600-HP V12 range covering recreational + commercial fishing + military applications) operates substantial powertrain + propulsion + connected boat engineering — Mercury's V8/V10/V12 Verado supercharged outboards (introduced 2018-2023, the highest-horsepower production outboards in the world) are among the most technologically advanced marine engines globally. Senior Mercury Marine ME clear $118-185K TC. Harley-Davidson HQ Milwaukee (~5K WI employees, Fortune 500, founded 1903) operates substantial V-Twin engine + Revolution Max powertrain + chassis + connected motorcycle engineering — Harley's Revolution Max liquid-cooled platform (introduced 2021 with Pan America and now powering RH975/RH1250 mid-size + Sportster S) represents the most significant Harley engineering investment in decades. Rockwell Automation Milwaukee (~$9B revenue, the country's largest industrial automation company) anchors WI industrial controls + drives + motors. Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is among the country's most respected undergraduate engineering schools. WI's 7.65% top bracket catches senior principal + R&D engineer comp at $250K+ TC.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Mechanical Engineers in Wisconsin and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Wisconsin 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Key terms:·

Typical Mechanical Engineer Salary by Experience (National)

US-wide ranges, not Wisconsin figures. Each link shows the Wisconsin taxes on that salary.

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$85,000

/year

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$130,000

/year

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$250,000

/year

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Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other States

Mechanical Engineer Salary in California →Mechanical Engineer Salary in Texas →Mechanical Engineer Salary in New York →Mechanical Engineer Salary in Florida →Mechanical Engineer Salary in Washington →

More on Wisconsin

All Professions in Wisconsin →

Salaries by profession, top-paying roles by industry, and an economic breakdown for Wisconsin in 2026.

Wisconsin State Income Tax Guide →

Tax brackets, standard deductions, and take-home estimates for Wisconsin in 2026.

Wisconsin Paycheck Calculator →

Adjust filing status, 401(k) for your exact 2026 take-home in Wisconsin.