Mechanical Drafter salary in Wisconsin
Mechanical Drafters in Wisconsin earn a median of $63,770 a year ($30.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,260 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $71,550. Wisconsin ranks 30th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.55 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| 25th percentile | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Median | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| 75th percentile | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,260 | $44.36 |
| Average (mean) | $67,960 | $32.67 |
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 | $5,314.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,657.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,452.69 |
| Weekly | $1,226.35 |
| Hourly | $30.66 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,770 | 830 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $75,240 | 50 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $73,440 | 60 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $69,150 | 470 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $67,750 | 40 |
| Madison, WI | $64,990 | 180 |
| Appleton, WI | $64,320 | 80 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $63,440 | 30 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $63,230 | 40 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,550 | 40 |
| Kenosha, WI | $61,800 | 30 |
| Green Bay, WI | $61,590 | 120 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $61,290 | 30 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,270 | 60 |
| Wausau, WI | $57,920 | 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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,930 | $30.25 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,880 | $34.56 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,850 | $32.62 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $74,940 | $36.03 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $75,650 | $36.37 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,060 | $29.36 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Drafters, All Other | $73,040 | $35.12 |
| Industrial Engineer | $96,980 | $46.62 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $95,870 | $46.09 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Wisconsin is $63,770 a year, or $30.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Wisconsin earn at least $92,260 a year. The top 25% earn $76,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,010 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $58,390 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Wisconsin?
About 1,630 mechanical drafters are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.