Mechanical Drafter salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Mechanical Drafters in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $65,840 a year ($31.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,320 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 9% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $72,280. There are 0.28 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| 25th percentile | $51,960 | $24.98 |
| Median | $65,840 | $31.66 |
| 75th percentile | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,320 | $47.27 |
| Average (mean) | $68,870 | $33.11 |
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 | $5,486.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,743.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,532.31 |
| Weekly | $1,266.15 |
| Hourly | $31.66 |
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 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $72,940 | 60 |
| Jackson, MI | $68,760 | 30 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $67,980 | 50 |
| 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,130 | $36.60 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $60,310 | $28.99 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $71,960 | $34.60 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,260 | $47.24 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,040 | $46.17 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Electrical Engineer | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Engineers, All Other | $95,890 | $46.10 |
| Environmental Engineer | $97,260 | $46.76 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| Chemical Engineer | $66,230 | $31.84 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $65,840 a year, or $31.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $98,320 a year. The top 25% earn $79,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,590 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $51,960 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 60 mechanical drafters are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.