Mechanical Drafters Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $81,490 +18.9% vs national
Median hourly $39.18
10th percentile $50,970
90th percentile $97,150
Employed locally 140
National median $68,510

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Mechanical Drafters
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,970
    25th
    $64,050
    50th (median)
    $81,490
    75th
    $97,130
    90th
    $97,150

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Drafters salary vs area income 97% Median Mechanical Drafters salary is 3% 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
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $85,050
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $83,250
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $81,710
    California $80,430
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,740
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $76,960

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$96,440
    Industrial Engineers$100,440
    Mechanical Engineers$88,500
    Electrical Engineers$110,350
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$90,520
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$64,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Drafters make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in Des Moines, IA is $39.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.05 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Mechanical Drafters salaries?

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in Des Moines, IA is 18.9% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $50,970 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,050.