Mechanical Drafter salary in Columbus, IN
Mechanical Drafters in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $61,730 a year ($29.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,010 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 2% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $62,820. There are 0.72 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| 25th percentile | $57,310 | $27.55 |
| Median | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| 75th percentile | $74,570 | $35.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,010 | $50.01 |
| Average (mean) | $68,110 | $32.75 |
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 | $5,144.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,572.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,374.23 |
| Weekly | $1,187.12 |
| Hourly | $29.68 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $77,250 | 300 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $73,030 | 230 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,540 | 320 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $69,240 | 310 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $64,820 | 80 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $58,880 | 140 |
| Evansville, IN | $57,060 | 40 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,460 | $39.65 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $127,700 | $61.40 |
| Industrial Engineer | $97,480 | $46.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Chemical Engineer | $109,190 | $52.49 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, IN
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 Columbus, IN?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Columbus, IN metro area is $61,730 a year, or $29.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $104,010 a year. The top 25% earn $74,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,880 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $57,310 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Columbus, IN?
About 40 mechanical drafters are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.