Mechanical Drafter salary in Missouri
Mechanical Drafters in Missouri earn a median of $66,350 a year ($31.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,120 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $71,550. Missouri ranks 27th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.29 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| 25th percentile | $58,360 | $28.06 |
| Median | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| 75th percentile | $84,430 | $40.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,120 | $51.98 |
| Average (mean) | $73,680 | $35.42 |
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 | $5,529.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,764.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,551.92 |
| Weekly | $1,275.96 |
| Hourly | $31.90 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $76,340 | 390 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $70,830 | 330 |
| Springfield, MO | $64,330 | 90 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $60,550 | 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 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,120 | $34.67 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,350 | $29.50 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,440 | $30.02 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $92,150 | $44.30 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $51,700 | $24.86 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $72,320 | $34.77 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| Drafters, All Other | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,510 | $29.57 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $65,360 | $31.43 |
| Civil Engineer | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,330 | $47.75 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Missouri is $66,350 a year, or $31.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Missouri?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Missouri earn at least $108,120 a year. The top 25% earn $84,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,750 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $58,360 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Missouri?
About 870 mechanical drafters are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.