Mechanical Drafter salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Mechanical Drafters in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $75,050 a year ($36.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,450 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 4% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $72,280. There are 0.51 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| 25th percentile | $58,040 | $27.91 |
| Median | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| 75th percentile | $105,760 | $50.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,450 | $57.91 |
| Average (mean) | $79,190 | $38.07 |
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 | $6,254.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,127.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,886.54 |
| Weekly | $1,443.27 |
| Hourly | $36.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Niles, MI | $82,960 | 50 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $74,490 | 360 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $72,940 | 60 |
| Jackson, MI | $68,760 | 30 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $67,980 | 50 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $65,840 | 60 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $55,290 | 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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,490 | $33.41 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $77,710 | $37.36 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $49,950 | $24.01 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| Drafters, All Other | $79,960 | $38.44 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $77,470 | $37.24 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $109,470 | $52.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,110 | $50.06 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $75,050 a year, or $36.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $120,450 a year. The top 25% earn $105,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,110 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $58,040 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 970 mechanical drafters are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.