Mechanical Drafter salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Mechanical Drafters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $75,510 a year ($36.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,940 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 19% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $63,330. There are 0.40 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,100, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,120 | $23.14 |
| 25th percentile | $57,490 | $27.64 |
| Median | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| 75th percentile | $99,940 | $48.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,940 | $48.05 |
| Average (mean) | $75,100 | $36.11 |
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 | $6,292.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,146.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,904.23 |
| Weekly | $1,452.12 |
| Hourly | $36.30 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $80,550 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $73,790 | 160 |
| Dubuque, IA | $57,440 | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $57,430 | 50 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $53,630 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,240 | $30.89 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,040 | $28.87 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Drafters, All Other | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $51,200 | $24.62 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,330 | $46.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,460 | $46.85 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $75,510 a year, or $36.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $99,940 a year. The top 25% earn $99,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,120 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $57,490 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 160 mechanical drafters are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.