Mechanical Drafters Salary
The median pay for a mechanical drafters in Iowa is $63,330/year ($30.45/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $95K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $71,269 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 25.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $63K get you in Iowa?
About mechanical drafters
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Iowa
Pay for mechanical drafters in Iowa runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,064/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, Iowa
Entry-level mechanical drafters (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K. Top earners bring in $95K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Drafters salary by metro in Iowa
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $81K | +27% | 50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $76K | +19% | 160 |
| Dubuque | $57K | -9% | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids | $57K | -9% | 50 |
| Sioux City | $54K | -15% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $63K, rent takes 25.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical drafters in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical drafters typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,806/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 38% 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 Iowa?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $63K here vs. $72K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for mechanical drafters?
Iowa pays $63K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $71K — below the national median.
How much do mechanical drafters make in Iowa?
The median is $63,330 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,760, and experienced mechanical drafters can clear $95,370. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,145/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 25.7% 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 Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 $71,269 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.