SOC 17-3013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Drafters — Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
In Northern Michigan, MI the median wage is $65,040.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northern Michigan, MI the median wage is $65,040. That is 9.1% lower than the national median of $71,550. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $49,970 and $74,680. The lowest tenth earn under $45,440, while the highest tenth earn more than $90,460.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.04 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Niles leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $82,960. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 97th of 361 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,440 | −36.5% |
| 25th | $49,970 | −30.2% |
| Median (50th) | $65,040 | −9.1% |
| 75th | $74,680 | +4.4% |
| 90th | $90,460 | +26.4% |
| Mean | $64,290 | −10.1% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northern Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $65,040 goes as far as $67,609 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$65,040as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,609US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $65,040 a year, 9.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,440 to $90,460 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Niles, at $82,960.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Drafters in Northern Michigan, MI?
The median annual wage is $65,040, or $31.27 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $71,550, so pay in Northern Michigan, MI is 9.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northern Michigan, MI earns more than $90,460 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,440 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Niles, at $82,960 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in Northern Michigan, MI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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