Mechanical Drafter salary in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Mechanical Drafters in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn a median of $74,490 a year ($35.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,220 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 3% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $72,280. There are 0.60 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,910 | $23.99 |
| 25th percentile | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| Median | $74,490 | $35.81 |
| 75th percentile | $98,680 | $47.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,220 | $55.88 |
| Average (mean) | $78,580 | $37.78 |
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 | $6,207.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,103.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,865 |
| Weekly | $1,432.50 |
| Hourly | $35.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,490 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 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $75,050 | 970 |
| 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 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,560 | $29.12 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $52,150 | $25.07 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| Drafters, All Other | $66,240 | $31.85 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,940 | $47.57 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $96,610 | $46.45 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,080 | $48.12 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, 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 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $74,490 a year, or $35.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn at least $116,220 a year. The top 25% earn $98,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,910 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $63,870 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
About 360 mechanical drafters are employed in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.