Mechanical Drafters Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $74,590 +8.9% vs national
Median hourly $35.86
10th percentile $50,410
90th percentile $105,370
Employed locally 550
National median $68,510

Compare Mechanical Drafters salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Mechanical Drafters
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,410
    25th
    $61,280
    50th (median)
    $74,590
    75th
    $91,870
    90th
    $105,370

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Drafters salary vs area income 84% Median Mechanical Drafters salary is 16% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Drafters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $111,820
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $94,180
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $88,540
    Colorado Springs, CO $87,860
    Boulder, CO $86,500
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $86,230

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Drafters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $83,250
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $81,160
    Niles, MI $80,280
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $78,200
    Gulfport-Biloxi, MS $76,430
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $73,760

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers$100,940
    Civil Engineers$100,280
    Mechanical Engineers$100,390
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$79,240
    Electrical Engineers$109,010
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$76,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Drafters make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in Chicago, IL-IN is $35.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.23 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Mechanical Drafters salaries?

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 8.9% above the national median of $68,510. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mechanical Drafters in Chicago?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $50,410 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,280.