Mechanical Drafter salary in Iowa
Mechanical Drafters in Iowa earn a median of $63,330 a year ($30.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,370 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $71,550. Iowa ranks 35th 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 $66,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| 25th percentile | $54,230 | $26.07 |
| Median | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| 75th percentile | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,370 | $45.85 |
| Average (mean) | $66,820 | $32.12 |
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 | $5,277.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,638.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,435.77 |
| Weekly | $1,217.88 |
| Hourly | $30.45 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $80,550 | 50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,510 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $73,790 | 160 |
| Dubuque, IA | $57,440 | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $57,430 | 50 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $53,630 | 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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,220 | $30.87 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,670 | $34.46 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $58,950 | $28.34 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Drafters, All Other | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,490 | $29.56 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,690 | $28.22 |
| Industrial Engineer | $97,690 | $46.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,700 | $46.97 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Iowa is $63,330 a year, or $30.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Iowa?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Iowa earn at least $95,370 a year. The top 25% earn $79,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,760 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $54,230 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Iowa?
About 630 mechanical drafters are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.