Engineering is still a lucrative career, but evolving technology and economic conditions continue to reshape what the market is willing to pay. Using data from Salary.com, this 2026 Salary Report highlights how engineering compensation varies by discipline and experience level.
Growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong growth in engineering, with employment expected to increase 7% from 2024 to 2034, along with nearly 186,050 openings each year.
Some fields are expected to grow even faster, including manufacturing engineering (11%), mechanical engineering (9%), and electrical engineering (7%).
Manufacturing remains a major source of engineering jobs, accounting for about 30% of employment among the top five U.S. employers, particularly in machinery (14%), transportation equipment (10%), and computer and electronics manufacturing (6%).
Salary:
Engineering salaries remain well above and nearly twice the national average, with median pay reaching $97,310. As technology becomes more integrated into engineering roles, professionals with tech-focused skills can earn 20-30% more than those in traditional roles.
WI Employment
Manufacturing is built directly into Wisconsin’s DNA, with a powerhouse workforce where 15% of all residents—more than 480,000 Wisconsinites—work in the industry. That high concentration places Wisconsin second in the nation for manufacturing employment concentration overall, and number one nationwide for employment in fabricated metal products, paper, and printing. Supporting this industrial engine is a robust technical college system working in lockstep with employers to deliver job-ready skills in emerging technologies, alongside access to a broader regional pool of 65,000 engineering graduates—including nearly 5,000 from Wisconsin institutions each year.
Demonstrating the state’s industrial focus, manufacturing engineers make up roughly 4.25 out of every 1,000 jobs in Wisconsin, with mechanical engineers closely following at 3.25 per 1,000.
WI Engineering Salary
Salary.com data shows how compensation varies across engineering disciplines, and experience levels in Wisconsin:
|
Position |
US |
Milwaukee, WI |
| Mechanical Engineer I (0-2 yrs) | $79,500 – $92,306 | $79,587 – $92,407 |
| Mechanical Engineer II (3-5 yrs) | $93,746 – $107,413 | $93,849 – $107,531 |
| Mechanical Engineer III (5+ yrs) | $108,341 – $123,701 | $108,460 – $123,837 |
| Electrical Engineer I (0-2 yrs) | $81,904 – $96,433 | $81,994 – $96,539 |
| Electrical Engineer II (3-5 yrs) | $99,279 – $113,596 | $99,388 – $113,721 |
| Electrical Engineer III (5+ yrs) | $120,758 – $138,718 | $120,891 – $138,871 |
| Manufacturing Engineer I (0-2 yrs) | $79,064 – $90,546 | $79,151 – $90,645 |
| Manufacturing Engineer II (3-5 yrs) | $89,630 – $103,362 | $89,729 – $103,476 |
| Manufacturing Engineer III (5+ yrs) | $103,176 – $120,913 | $103,289 – $121,046 |
| Electrical Controls Engineer I | $81,591 – $91,856 | $81,681 – $91,957 |
| Automation Engineer | $92,540 – $103,716 | $92,640 – $103,835 |
| Hardware Engineer | $114,280 – $133,696 | $114,406 – $133,843 |
| Embedded Software Engineer | $115,896 – $129,496 | $116,023 – $129,639 |
| Manufacturing Technician | $54,955 – $64,524 | $55,015 – $64,595 |
Engineering remains a strong career, with compensation continuing to reflect demand for specialized skills, experience, and technical expertise. The 2026 salary data shows that engineers with in-demand skills are well positioned for new opportunities.
For employers, these trends highlight the importance of staying competitive on compensation and having access to the right talent when demand is high.
Whether you’re exploring your next career move or looking to add experienced engineering talent to your team, SoloPoint Solutions can help.