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Average Mechanical Drafters Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

The average salary for a Mechanical Drafters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $80,280. This compensation is in line with national standards, reflecting a balanced and stable local job market. Notably, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is a key hub for this profession, with a job concentration 1.31x higher than average.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $80,280 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 35.1% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $97,150.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Mechanical Drafterss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 140 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$80,280

The average Mechanical Drafters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA earns+8.4%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$38.6

Weekly

$1,544

Monthly

$6,690

Mechanical Drafters Salary Distribution in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

The earning potential for Mechanical Drafterss in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA varies significantly by experience level. The salary gap is relatively narrow, suggesting consistent and predictable earnings from entry-level to senior positions. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $50,970, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $97,150.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$50,970$24.5
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$60,210$28.9
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$81,490$39.2
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$100,350$48.2
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$97,150$46.7

Detailed Mechanical Drafters Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$80,280

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$80,280

Adjusted for COL (100)

In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $80,280 to $80,280.

Job Market Context

140

Total Jobs

0.34

Per 1K Jobs

1.31

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.31, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Mechanical Drafters roles compared to the national norm.

140 people work as Mechanical Drafters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA.

Only 0.34 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Mechanical Drafters roles — this is a niche profession in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Mechanical Drafters

Comparing salaries near Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Hiring Mechanical Drafterss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Mechanical Drafters make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median annual salary for a Mechanical Drafters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $80,280. This typically ranges from $50,970 for entry-level positions to $97,150 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 8.4% higher than the national median of $74,030.

Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a good place for Mechanical Drafterss?

Yes, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is an excellent location for Mechanical Drafterss. It offers both higher-than-average salaries ($80,280) and a high concentration of job opportunities. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a good place to live for Mechanical Drafters?

The Cost of Living Index in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area ($67,110) and Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 140 employees in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area with a job density of 0.34 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.