Mechanical Drafter Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Mechanical Drafters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $69,150 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $55,193 take-home, or $4,599 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical drafter salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,383
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,287
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,003
- Wisconsin income tax$2,284
- Take-home pay$55,193
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Mechanical Drafter pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,310 | $24.67 | $41,931 | $3,494 |
| 25th percentile | $60,340 | $29.01 | $48,789 | $4,066 |
| Median (50th) | $69,150 | $33.25 | $55,193 | $4,599 |
| 75th percentile | $80,250 | $38.58 | $62,413 | $5,201 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,000 | $45.19 | $71,358 | $5,946 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $69,150 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical drafter's $55,193 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,937 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Milwaukee, WI has 2.2× the national concentration of mechanical drafter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for mechanical drafters, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #9 of 13 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $94,470 | $75,290 | $67,747 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $83,200 | $67,361 | $65,342 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $78,820 | $64,280 | $65,173 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $69,550 | $55,623 | $58,754 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $75,360 | $58,557 | $58,523 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $75,050 | $58,689 | $58,514 |
| 7 | Portland, ME | $76,360 | $58,577 | $57,508 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $74,100 | $58,684 | $57,223 |
| 9 | Milwaukee, WI | $69,150 | $55,193 | $56,937 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 13 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical drafter make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median mechanical drafter salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $69,150 a year, or about $33.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,340 and $80,250.
What is a mechanical drafter’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $69,150 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $55,193 a year ($4,599 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,284 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a mechanical drafter?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $71,550. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,937 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #9 of 13 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical drafter afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median mechanical drafter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Industrial Engineer — $100,020
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $99,680
- Electrical Engineer — $98,950
- Mechanical Engineer — $98,730
- Civil Engineer — $96,190
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $76,200
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $74,660
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $65,270
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $61,960