North Dakota Median
$77,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $71,550
State Rank
#7 of 47
100 employed here
How much does a Mechanical Drafter make in North Dakota?
Mechanical Drafters in North Dakota take home a median of $77,570 annually — roughly $37.29 an hour — which runs 8% above the national median of $71,550.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $56,380 while the top 10% make $121,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,220 and $81,740 a year.
Mechanical Drafter salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,380 | $27.11 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,220 | $29.91 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,570 | $37.29 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,740 | $39.30 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,580 | $58.45 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 7th out of 47 states and territories for Mechanical Drafter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Mechanical Drafter salary in other states
New Mexico $89,940Colorado $85,280New Jersey $83,380California $82,510Texas $79,380Louisiana $77,730Washington $76,820Maryland $76,740New York $76,490Maine $76,360Nevada $75,830Massachusetts $75,490Oregon $74,000Minnesota $73,090Vermont $73,040Michigan $72,280Ohio $70,580Utah $70,000Virginia $69,630Rhode Island $69,290Kentucky $68,880Connecticut $68,830Florida $68,050Arizona $67,410Georgia $66,670Missouri $66,350Kansas $65,250West Virginia $65,100Wisconsin $63,770South Carolina $63,740Pennsylvania $63,480Oklahoma $63,440Tennessee $63,390Iowa $63,330Illinois $63,320Indiana $62,820Nebraska $61,170Wyoming $61,070Mississippi $60,460Arkansas $59,960Idaho $59,050North Carolina $59,050Delaware $57,110New Hampshire $55,390Alabama $53,600South Dakota $52,610
Working as a Mechanical Drafter in North Dakota
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 North Dakota pay ($77,570) 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 North Dakota?
The median Mechanical Drafter salary in North Dakota is $77,570 per year, or about $37.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,380 at the entry level to $121,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Mechanical Drafters about 8% more than the national median of $71,550. North Dakota ranks 7th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Mechanical Drafters?
Yes on pay — North Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $77,570 a year. About 100 Mechanical Drafters are employed in North Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Mechanical Drafter salary report
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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.