Mechanical Drafter salary in Indiana
Mechanical Drafters in Indiana earn a median of $62,820 a year ($30.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,470 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $71,550. Indiana ranks 37th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.41 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| 25th percentile | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Median | $62,820 | $30.20 |
| 75th percentile | $77,270 | $37.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,470 | $42.53 |
| Average (mean) | $65,210 | $31.35 |
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 | $5,235 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,617.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,416.15 |
| Weekly | $1,208.08 |
| Hourly | $30.20 |
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 Indiana
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,110 | $30.34 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,540 | $33.91 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,220 | $37.13 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $56,440 | $27.13 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,930 | $29.77 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $62,520 | $30.06 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,110 | $25.54 |
| Drafters, All Other | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Industrial Engineer | $97,480 | $46.86 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Indiana is $62,820 a year, or $30.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Indiana?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Indiana earn at least $88,470 a year. The top 25% earn $77,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,470 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $52,000 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Indiana?
About 1,300 mechanical drafters are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.