Mechanical Drafter salary in Minnesota
Mechanical Drafters in Minnesota earn a median of $73,090 a year ($35.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,080 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $71,550. Minnesota ranks 15th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.41 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,380 | $25.18 |
| 25th percentile | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Median | $73,090 | $35.14 |
| 75th percentile | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,080 | $48.11 |
| Average (mean) | $73,850 | $35.51 |
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 | $6,090.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,045.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,811.15 |
| Weekly | $1,405.58 |
| Hourly | $35.14 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $77,520 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,770 | 830 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $75,160 | 30 |
| Mankato, MN | $67,250 | 50 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $64,000 | 70 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,550 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,270 | 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 |
Related jobs in Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,490 | $33.89 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,680 | $33.98 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $73,190 | $35.19 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $81,290 | $39.08 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,990 | $30.77 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $77,330 | $37.18 |
| Drafters, All Other | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,660 | $49.35 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Minnesota is $73,090 a year, or $35.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Minnesota earn at least $100,080 a year. The top 25% earn $79,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,380 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $62,940 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Minnesota?
About 1,220 mechanical drafters are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.