Mechanical Drafter salary in Appleton, WI
Mechanical Drafters in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $64,320 a year ($30.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,940 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 1% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $63,770. There are 0.66 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,350 | $25.17 |
| 25th percentile | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Median | $64,320 | $30.92 |
| 75th percentile | $81,140 | $39.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,940 | $47.09 |
| Average (mean) | $71,690 | $34.46 |
Half of mechanical drafters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,360 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,680 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,473.85 |
| Weekly | $1,236.92 |
| Hourly | $30.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,770 | 830 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $75,240 | 50 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $73,440 | 60 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $69,150 | 470 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $67,750 | 40 |
| Madison, WI | $64,990 | 180 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $63,440 | 30 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $63,230 | 40 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,550 | 40 |
| Kenosha, WI | $61,800 | 30 |
| Green Bay, WI | $61,590 | 120 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $61,290 | 30 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,270 | 60 |
| Wausau, WI | $57,920 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical drafters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $89,940 |
| Colorado | $85,280 |
| New Jersey | $83,380 |
| California | $82,510 |
| Texas | $79,380 |
| Louisiana | $77,730 |
| North Dakota | $77,570 |
| Washington | $76,820 |
| Maryland | $76,740 |
| New York | $76,490 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,790 | $28.74 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,200 | $33.75 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $74,040 | $35.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| Industrial Engineer | $95,380 | $45.86 |
| Civil Engineer | $92,590 | $44.51 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,670 | $48.88 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,170 | $51.52 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $110,990 | $53.36 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical drafter make in Appleton, WI?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Appleton, WI metro area is $64,320 a year, or $30.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $97,940 a year. The top 25% earn $81,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,350 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $58,220 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Appleton, WI?
About 80 mechanical drafters are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.