Mechanical Drafter salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
Mechanical Drafters in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn a median of $72,940 a year ($35.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,810 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 1% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $72,280. There are 0.50 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,950, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| 25th percentile | $53,830 | $25.88 |
| Median | $72,940 | $35.07 |
| 75th percentile | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,810 | $49.91 |
| Average (mean) | $71,950 | $34.59 |
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 | $6,078.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,039.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,805.38 |
| Weekly | $1,402.69 |
| Hourly | $35.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Niles, MI | $82,960 | 50 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $75,050 | 970 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $74,490 | 360 |
| Jackson, MI | $68,760 | 30 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $67,980 | 50 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $65,840 | 60 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $55,290 | 30 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,860 | $29.74 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,640 | $29.15 |
| Industrial Engineer | $97,250 | $46.76 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,830 | $48.96 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,060 | $46.18 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| Electrical Engineer | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,190 | $50.09 |
| Chemical Engineer | $96,190 | $46.25 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area is $72,940 a year, or $35.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn at least $103,810 a year. The top 25% earn $79,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,200 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $53,830 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
About 60 mechanical drafters are employed in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.