Mechanical Drafter salary in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Mechanical Drafters in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn a median of $62,550 a year ($30.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,950 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 2% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $63,770. There are 0.49 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| 25th percentile | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Median | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| 75th percentile | $75,940 | $36.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,950 | $41.80 |
| Average (mean) | $68,380 | $32.88 |
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 | $5,212.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,606.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,405.77 |
| Weekly | $1,202.88 |
| Hourly | $30.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $77,520 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,770 | 830 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $75,240 | 50 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $75,160 | 30 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $73,440 | 60 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $69,150 | 470 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $67,750 | 40 |
| Mankato, MN | $67,250 | 50 |
| Madison, WI | $64,990 | 180 |
| Appleton, WI | $64,320 | 80 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $64,000 | 70 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $63,440 | 30 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $63,230 | 40 |
| Kenosha, WI | $61,800 | 30 |
| Green Bay, WI | $61,590 | 120 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $61,290 | 30 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,270 | 60 |
| Wausau, WI | $57,920 | 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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,350 | $30.94 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,540 | $41.13 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,870 | $46.09 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,280 | $49.17 |
| Electrical Engineer | $106,640 | $51.27 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $94,160 | $45.27 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-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 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is $62,550 a year, or $30.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn at least $86,950 a year. The top 25% earn $75,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,900 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $59,240 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
About 40 mechanical drafters are employed in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.