Mechanical Drafter salary in Dubuque, IA
Mechanical Drafters in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median of $57,440 a year ($27.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,200 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 9% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $63,330. There are 0.79 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Dubuque, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| 25th percentile | $56,580 | $27.20 |
| Median | $57,440 | $27.62 |
| 75th percentile | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| Average (mean) | $58,550 | $28.15 |
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 | $4,786.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,393.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,209.23 |
| Weekly | $1,104.62 |
| Hourly | $27.62 |
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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,510 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $73,790 | 160 |
| 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 Dubuque, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $65,760 | $31.62 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,370 | $37.20 |
| Industrial Engineer | $109,040 | $52.43 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,210 | $47.70 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,290 | $50.14 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $87,890 | $42.25 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, IA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $57,440 a year, or $27.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Dubuque, IA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn at least $74,200 a year. The top 25% earn $59,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Dubuque, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,160 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $56,580 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Dubuque, IA?
About 50 mechanical drafters are employed in the Dubuque, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.