Mechanical Drafter Salary in Indiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Mechanical Drafters in Indiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Indiana Median
$62,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $71,550
State Rank
#37 of 47
1,300 employed here

How much does a Mechanical Drafter make in Indiana?

Mechanical Drafters in Indiana take home a median of $62,820 annually — roughly $30.20 an hour — which runs 12% below the national median of $71,550.

Within Indiana, entry-level pay starts around $45,470 while the top 10% make $88,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,000 and $77,270 a year.

Mechanical Drafter salary range in Indiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,470$21.86
25th percentile (early career)$52,000$25.00
50th percentile (median)$62,820$30.20
75th percentile (experienced)$77,270$37.15
90th percentile (top earners)$88,470$42.53

How Indiana compares

Indiana ranks 37th out of 47 states and territories for Mechanical Drafter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Mexico$89,940
2Colorado$85,280
3New Jersey$83,380
4California$82,510
5Texas$79,380

Working as a Mechanical Drafter in Indiana

Nationally, about 40,000 people work as Mechanical Drafters in the United States. An associate degree (about 2 years of college) is the typical entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Indiana pay ($62,820) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Mechanical Drafter make in Indiana?
The median Mechanical Drafter salary in Indiana is $62,820 per year, or about $30.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,470 at the entry level to $88,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Indiana pay compare to the national average?
Indiana pays Mechanical Drafters about 12% less than the national median of $71,550. Indiana ranks 37th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Indiana a good state for Mechanical Drafters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,820 a year. About 1,300 Mechanical Drafters are employed in Indiana. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Indiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Indiana include Cardiologist ($588,890), Surgeon, All Other ($459,300), Radiologist ($430,640), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Mechanical Drafter salary report

Related salaries

Drafter, All Other

$63,520
median pay · 14,000 employed

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$74,510
median pay · 36,000 employed

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

$76,870
median pay · 18,000 employed

Architectural and Civil Drafters

$66,150
median pay · 104,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.