Mechanical Drafter salary in Lincoln, NE
Mechanical Drafters in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $59,190 a year ($28.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,730 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 3% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $61,170. There are 0.42 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| 25th percentile | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Median | $59,190 | $28.46 |
| 75th percentile | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,730 | $44.10 |
| Average (mean) | $63,740 | $30.64 |
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 | $4,932.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,466.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,276.54 |
| Weekly | $1,138.27 |
| Hourly | $28.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $73,790 | 160 |
| 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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $59,640 | $28.67 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $48,080 | $23.11 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,010 | $31.25 |
| Drafters, All Other | $58,690 | $28.22 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,560 | $45.94 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,390 | $47.30 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| Engineers, All Other | $64,060 | $30.80 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $59,190 a year, or $28.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $91,730 a year. The top 25% earn $74,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,660 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $49,450 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Lincoln, NE?
About 80 mechanical drafters are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.