Mechanical Drafter salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Mechanical Drafters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $69,240 a year ($33.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,430 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 10% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $62,820. There are 0.28 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| 25th percentile | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Median | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| 75th percentile | $83,430 | $40.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,430 | $45.88 |
| Average (mean) | $70,850 | $34.06 |
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 | $5,770 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,885 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,663.08 |
| Weekly | $1,331.54 |
| Hourly | $33.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $77,250 | 300 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $73,030 | 230 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,540 | 320 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $64,820 | 80 |
| Columbus, IN | $61,730 | 40 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $58,880 | 140 |
| Evansville, IN | $57,060 | 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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,650 | $32.05 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $58,850 | $28.29 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,400 | $38.17 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $65,240 | $31.37 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,040 | $34.15 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,680 | $47.44 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,830 | $48.96 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $69,240 a year, or $33.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $95,430 a year. The top 25% earn $83,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,200 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $58,220 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 310 mechanical drafters are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.