Mechanical Drafter salary in South Dakota
Mechanical Drafters in South Dakota earn a median of $52,610 a year ($25.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,620 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $71,550. South Dakota ranks 47th 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 $56,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,760 | $20.08 |
| 25th percentile | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| Median | $52,610 | $25.29 |
| 75th percentile | $65,190 | $31.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| Average (mean) | $56,030 | $26.94 |
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 | $4,384.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,192.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,023.46 |
| Weekly | $1,011.73 |
| Hourly | $25.29 |
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 South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $53,630 | 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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $54,570 | $26.24 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,670 | $25.80 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,050 | $24.06 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Industrial Engineer | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,980 | $47.59 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,500 | $49.28 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Dakota?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in South Dakota is $52,610 a year, or $25.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in South Dakota earn at least $68,620 a year. The top 25% earn $65,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,760 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $47,860 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in South Dakota?
About 100 mechanical drafters are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.