Mechanical Drafter salary in Grand Forks, ND-MN
Mechanical Drafters in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $75,160 a year ($36.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,360 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 3% lower than the North Dakota statewide median of $77,570. There are 0.63 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,760, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Grand Forks, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,760 | $23.93 |
| 25th percentile | $62,170 | $29.89 |
| Median | $75,160 | $36.13 |
| 75th percentile | $77,570 | $37.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Average (mean) | $73,760 | $35.46 |
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 | $6,263.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,131.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,890.77 |
| Weekly | $1,445.38 |
| Hourly | $36.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $77,520 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,770 | 830 |
| Mankato, MN | $67,250 | 50 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $64,000 | 70 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,550 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,270 | 60 |
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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Grand Forks, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,030 | $32.23 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,930 | $39.39 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,520 | $48.33 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,200 | $49.61 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $91,430 | $43.96 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| Electrical Engineer | $112,260 | $53.97 |
| Engineers, All Other | $103,380 | $49.70 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Grand Forks, ND-MN
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 Grand Forks, ND-MN?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area is $75,160 a year, or $36.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Grand Forks, ND-MN?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area earn at least $100,360 a year. The top 25% earn $77,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Grand Forks, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,760 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $62,170 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Grand Forks, ND-MN?
About 30 mechanical drafters are employed in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.