Mechanical Drafters Salary
The median pay for a mechanical drafters in Idaho is $59,050/year ($28.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $104K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.88), which stretches that salary to about $62,899 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,136/month, or 29.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Idaho. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $59K get you in Idaho?
About mechanical drafters
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What this looks like in Idaho
Pay for mechanical drafters in Idaho runs about 17% below the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,136/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.88 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Idaho
Entry-level mechanical drafters (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K. Top earners bring in $104K or more, a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Drafters salary by metro in Idaho
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls | $86K | +46% | 60 |
| Boise City | $57K | -4% | 130 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Idaho numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Idaho?
Yes — at the median salary of $59K, rent takes 28.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,136/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical drafters in Idaho?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical drafters typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,771/month. At HUD’s $1,136/month FMR, rent would take 41% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is mechanical drafter a high-paying job in Idaho?
Local pay runs 17% below the national median — $59K here vs. $72K nationally. Cost of living is 6% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Idaho compare to the national average for mechanical drafters?
Idaho pays $59K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $63K — below the national median.
How much do mechanical drafters make in Idaho?
The median is $59,050 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,190, and experienced mechanical drafters can clear $104,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Idaho?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,927/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,136/month, which eats 28.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mechanical drafters salary go in Idaho?
Idaho has a Regional Price Parity of 93.88 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical drafters salary is worth about $62,899 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical drafters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.