Mechanical Drafter salary in Michigan
Mechanical Drafters in Michigan earn a median of $72,280 a year ($34.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,170 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $71,550. Michigan ranks 17th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.46 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| 25th percentile | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| Median | $72,280 | $34.75 |
| 75th percentile | $94,900 | $45.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,170 | $53.93 |
| Average (mean) | $75,920 | $36.50 |
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 | $6,023.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,011.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,780 |
| Weekly | $1,390 |
| Hourly | $34.75 |
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 Michigan
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,510 | $31.01 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,170 | $32.77 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,800 | $35.96 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,330 | $28.04 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $62,460 | $30.03 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,340 | $24.20 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $70,140 | $33.72 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $73,860 | $35.51 |
| Drafters, All Other | $67,750 | $32.57 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $69,840 | $33.58 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,890 | $50.43 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Michigan is $72,280 a year, or $34.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Michigan?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Michigan earn at least $112,170 a year. The top 25% earn $94,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,100 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $57,720 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Michigan?
About 2,030 mechanical drafters are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.