State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Wisconsin
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Wisconsin, $95,870. After cost-of-living, the gap is 16.1% — not 36.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+36.5%
California vs Wisconsin
COL-adjusted gap
+16.1%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $130,900
- p25
- $102,360
- p75
- $166,580
- p10
- $82,070
- p90
- $203,620
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -45%
Wisconsin
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $95,870
- p25
- $77,920
- p75
- $106,950
- p10
- $64,850
- p90
- $130,360
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.1
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -60%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.