Mechanical Drafter salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Mechanical Drafters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $69,150 a year ($33.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,000 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 8% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $63,770. There are 0.57 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| 25th percentile | $60,340 | $29.01 |
| Median | $69,150 | $33.25 |
| 75th percentile | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,000 | $45.19 |
| Average (mean) | $70,880 | $34.08 |
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 | $5,762.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,881.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,659.62 |
| Weekly | $1,329.81 |
| Hourly | $33.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,770 | 830 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $75,240 | 50 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $73,440 | 60 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $67,750 | 40 |
| Madison, WI | $64,990 | 180 |
| Appleton, WI | $64,320 | 80 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $63,440 | 30 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $63,230 | 40 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,550 | 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,660 | $35.89 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,200 | $36.64 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $78,260 | $37.62 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,300 | $31.87 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $73,530 | $35.35 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,650 | $37.81 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,080 | $29.36 |
| Drafters, All Other | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,020 | $48.09 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,190 | $46.24 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $69,150 a year, or $33.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $94,000 a year. The top 25% earn $80,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,310 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $60,340 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 470 mechanical drafters are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.