South Dakota Median
$52,610
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-26% vs US median
US median $71,550
State Rank
#47 of 47
100 employed here
How much does a Mechanical Drafter make in South Dakota?
A Mechanical Drafter working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $52,610 per year, or about $25.29 per hour. That is 26% below the national median of $71,550 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $41,760 while the top 10% make $68,620 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,860 and $65,190 a year.
Mechanical Drafter salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,760 | $20.08 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,860 | $23.01 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,610 | $25.29 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $65,190 | $31.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,620 | $32.99 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 47th 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 $77,730North Dakota $77,570Washington $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 $53,600
Working as a Mechanical Drafter in South 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 South Dakota pay ($52,610) 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 South Dakota?
The median Mechanical Drafter salary in South Dakota is $52,610 per year, or about $25.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,760 at the entry level to $68,620 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Mechanical Drafters about 26% less than the national median of $71,550. South Dakota ranks 47th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Mechanical Drafters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,610 a year. About 100 Mechanical Drafters are employed in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.