Mechanical Drafters Salary
The median pay for a mechanical drafters in Minnesota is $73,090/year ($35.14/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $78,931 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 29% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in Minnesota?
About mechanical drafters
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Mechanical drafters pay in Minnesota tracks closely to the national median, $73K locally vs. $72K nationwide, a 2% difference. Rent runs $1,384/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level mechanical drafters (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Drafters salary by metro in Minnesota
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $76K | +4% | 830 |
| Mankato | $67K | -8% | 50 |
| St. Cloud | $64K | -12% | 70 |
| Duluth | $61K | -16% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
Yes — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 29.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical drafters in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical drafters typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,143/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 44% 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 Minnesota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $73K locally vs. $72K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for mechanical drafters?
Minnesota pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $79K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mechanical drafters make in Minnesota?
The median is $73,090 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,380, and experienced mechanical drafters can clear $100,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,688/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 29.5% 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (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 $78,931 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.