Mechanical Drafters Employment & Job Outlook in Illinois (2024)

Illinois employs 1,150 Mechanical Drafters professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Illinois employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
1,150
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
1.15
workers
Location Quotient
1.23
vs national avg
Average Salary
$70K
annual

High Demand in Illinois

The location quotient (LQ) of 1.23 indicates that Illinois has a higher-than-average concentration of Mechanical Drafters professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Illinois vs National Average

Total Employed
1,150
National: 44,720
2.6% of national
Jobs per 1,000
1.15
National: 0.93
+23.7%
Average Salary
$70K
National: $68K
+4.2%

Top States by Mechanical Drafters Employment

#1
4,170
4,170
employed
#2
3,770
3,770
employed
#3
2,580
2,580
employed
#4
2,200
2,200
employed
#5
2,130
2,130
employed
#6
2,130
2,130
employed
#7
2,050
2,050
employed
#8
1,960
1,960
employed
#9
1,920
1,920
employed
#10
1,840
1,840
employed

What Does a Mechanical Drafters Earn in Illinois?

The average annual salary for a Mechanical Drafters in Illinois is $70,990. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Mechanical Drafters jobs are there in Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 1,150 Mechanical Drafters professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks Illinois among the top states nationwide.

Is Mechanical Drafters in demand in Illinois?

Yes — Illinois has above-average concentration of Mechanical Drafters jobs (LQ: 1.23). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Mechanical Drafters in Illinois?

The average (mean) salary for Mechanical Drafters in Illinois is $70990/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Mechanical Drafters professionals?

The top state for Mechanical Drafters employment is California with 4,170 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Mechanical Drafters (SOC 173013) in Illinois.

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