Mechanical Drafter salary in Illinois
Mechanical Drafters in Illinois earn a median of $63,320 a year ($30.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,930 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $71,550. Illinois ranks 36th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.07 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.29). The average (mean) salary is $71,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,710 | $27.26 |
| 25th percentile | $56,710 | $27.26 |
| Median | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| 75th percentile | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,930 | $45.64 |
| Average (mean) | $71,290 | $34.27 |
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 | $5,276.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,638.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,435.38 |
| Weekly | $1,217.69 |
| Hourly | $30.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Drafter salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $80,550 | 50 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,540 | 320 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $70,830 | 330 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,090 | $34.18 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,470 | $27.63 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $79,800 | $38.37 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| Drafters, All Other | $53,300 | $25.62 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $68,310 | $32.84 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,540 | $48.34 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,760 | $47.96 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Illinois is $63,320 a year, or $30.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Illinois?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Illinois earn at least $94,930 a year. The top 25% earn $81,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,710 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $56,710 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Illinois?
About 450 mechanical drafters are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.