Mechanical Drafter salary in Elkhart-Goshen, IN
Mechanical Drafters in the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area earn a median of $58,880 a year ($28.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,520 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 6% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $62,820. There are 1.1 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,620, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Elkhart-Goshen, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,340 | $14.11 |
| 25th percentile | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Median | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| 75th percentile | $70,550 | $33.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,520 | $40.15 |
| Average (mean) | $58,620 | $28.18 |
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 | $4,906.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,453.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,264.62 |
| Weekly | $1,132.31 |
| Hourly | $28.31 |
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 |
| Columbus, IN | $61,730 | 40 |
| 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 Elkhart-Goshen, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,080 | $27.92 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,570 | $38.26 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,950 | $47.09 |
| Industrial Engineer | $96,260 | $46.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $85,730 | $41.21 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,330 | $47.75 |
| Engineers, All Other | $118,930 | $57.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Elkhart-Goshen, 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 Elkhart-Goshen, IN?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area is $58,880 a year, or $28.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area earn at least $83,520 a year. The top 25% earn $70,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,340 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $47,750 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?
About 140 mechanical drafters are employed in the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.