Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary
The median pay for a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in Wisconsin is $67,850/year ($32.62/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $90K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.33), which stretches that salary to about $71,928 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,202/month, or 27% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Wisconsin. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $68K get you in Wisconsin?
About mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Wisconsin
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians pay in Wisconsin tracks closely to the national median, $68K locally vs. $75K nationwide, a 9% difference. Rent runs $1,202/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.33 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Wisconsin
Entry-level mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $90K or more, a $42K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary by metro in Wisconsin
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $80K | +17% | 110 |
| Appleton | $79K | +16% | 90 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $78K | +15% | 40 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $66K | -2% | 180 |
| Green Bay | $66K | -3% | 40 |
| Sheboygan | $65K | -5% | 40 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | $64K | -5% | 70 |
| Fond du Lac | $63K | -7% | 40 |
| Kenosha | $59K | -14% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Wisconsin numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical engineering technologists and technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Wisconsin?
Yes — at the median salary of $68K, rent takes 26.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,202/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in Wisconsin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,873/month. At HUD’s $1,202/month FMR, rent would take 42% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is mechanical engineering technologists and technician a high-paying job in Wisconsin?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $68K locally vs. $75K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Wisconsin compare to the national average for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians?
Wisconsin pays $68K median vs. the U.S. average of $75K — that’s -9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.33), the purchasing-power equivalent is $72K — below the national median.
How much do mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in Wisconsin?
The median is $67,850 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,880, and experienced mechanical engineering technologists and technicians can clear $90,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in Wisconsin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,464/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,202/month, which eats 26.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary go in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a Regional Price Parity of 94.33 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary is worth about $71,928 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical engineering technologists and technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.