Mechanical Drafter salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Mechanical Drafters in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median of $64,820 a year ($31.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,630 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 3% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $62,820. There are 0.34 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,960, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Fort Wayne, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,340 | $20.35 |
| 25th percentile | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| Median | $64,820 | $31.17 |
| 75th percentile | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Average (mean) | $63,960 | $30.75 |
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 | $5,401.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,700.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,493.08 |
| Weekly | $1,246.54 |
| Hourly | $31.17 |
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 |
| Columbus, IN | $61,730 | 40 |
| 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 Fort Wayne, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,260 | $30.41 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $57,110 | $27.46 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,860 | $29.74 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,490 | $31.01 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,460 | $28.11 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Industrial Engineer | $91,000 | $43.75 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $95,310 | $45.82 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,780 | $48.45 |
| Civil Engineer | $88,920 | $42.75 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,720 | $51.79 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $101,570 | $48.83 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne, IN?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $64,820 a year, or $31.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn at least $86,630 a year. The top 25% earn $73,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Fort Wayne, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,340 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $50,350 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Fort Wayne, IN?
About 80 mechanical drafters are employed in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.