Mechanical Drafter salary in St. Cloud, MN
Mechanical Drafters in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn a median of $64,000 a year ($30.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,440 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 12% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $73,090. There are 0.66 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in St. Cloud, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,290 | $24.18 |
| 25th percentile | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| Median | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| 75th percentile | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,440 | $43.48 |
| Average (mean) | $68,380 | $32.87 |
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 | $5,333.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,666.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,461.54 |
| Weekly | $1,230.77 |
| Hourly | $30.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Cloud, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,130 | $30.83 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,370 | $38.16 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| Industrial Engineer | $88,340 | $42.47 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,670 | $43.59 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,120 | $46.21 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in St. Cloud, MN
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 St. Cloud, MN?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the St. Cloud, MN metro area is $64,000 a year, or $30.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in St. Cloud, MN?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn at least $90,440 a year. The top 25% earn $74,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in St. Cloud, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,290 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $63,240 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in St. Cloud, MN?
About 70 mechanical drafters are employed in the St. Cloud, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.