Mechanical Drafter salary in North Dakota
Mechanical Drafters in North Dakota earn a median of $77,570 a year ($37.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,580 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $71,550. North Dakota ranks 7th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.22 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,380 | $27.11 |
| 25th percentile | $62,220 | $29.92 |
| Median | $77,570 | $37.29 |
| 75th percentile | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,580 | $58.45 |
| Average (mean) | $77,950 | $37.47 |
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 | $6,464.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,232.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,983.46 |
| Weekly | $1,491.73 |
| Hourly | $37.29 |
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 North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $77,520 | 40 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $75,160 | 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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,030 | $31.27 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,720 | $31.12 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,870 | $29.26 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Industrial Engineer | $96,940 | $46.61 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,110 | $46.69 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,810 | $53.28 |
| Surveyor | $79,360 | $38.15 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in North Dakota is $77,570 a year, or $37.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in North Dakota earn at least $121,580 a year. The top 25% earn $81,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,380 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $62,220 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in North Dakota?
About 100 mechanical drafters are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.