How much does a mechanical drafter make in Chicago?
$72,540a year
Median yearly pay for mechanical drafters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $34.88 an hour or $6,045 a month.
- Hourly
- $34.88
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 64 of 180
- Jobs in the area
- 320
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $52,110Median: $72,540Highest 10%: $98,230
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,110 | $25.05 | |
| 25th | $62,930 | $30.25 | |
| Median | $72,540 | $34.88 | |
| 75th | $88,220 | $42.41 | |
| 90th | $98,230 | $47.23 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for mechanical drafters.
| Davenport, IA | $80,550 |
| St. Louis, MO | $70,830 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,500 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $134,500 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $133,900 |
| Electronics Engineer | $125,700 |
| Engineer | $121,900 |
| Health and Safety Engineer | $114,200 |
| Electrical Engineer | $113,500 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,800 |
| Environmental Engineer | $110,700 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical drafter make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $34.88 ($72,540 a year).
Do mechanical drafters make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $72,540 against $71,550 nationally, 1% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $63,320, so Chicago pays 15% more.
Where does Chicago rank for mechanical drafter pay?
64 of 180 metro areas with data.
How much does a mechanical drafter make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $52,110 or less a year; the top 10% make $98,230 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.