Home / Compare / Mechanical Drafters vs. Industrial Engineers Salary comparison Mechanical Drafters vs. Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2026) Mechanical Drafterss earn a median salary of $68,510/year, while Industrial Engineerss earn $101,140/year - a difference of $32,630. Industrial Engineerss earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.
Mechanical Drafters
Industrial Engineers
Median salary
$68,510
$101,140
Hourly rate
$32.94/hr
$48.63/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$46,500
$70,000
Senior level (90th %)
$107,600
$157,140
Education required
Varies
Varies
U.S. employment
39,900
350,230
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), BEA Regional Price Parities & HUD Fair Market Rents.
Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Fair Market Rents). AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."
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