How much does a mechanical drafter make?
The median mechanical drafter in the United States earns $71,550 per year, about $34.40 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all mechanical drafters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-3013.
Mechanical drafter salary range
Pay for mechanical drafters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,360 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $106,580. The average (mean) wage of $75,060 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,360 | $23.25 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $58,080 | $27.93 | |
| Median (50th) | $71,550 | $34.40 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $86,120 | $41.41 | |
| 90th percentile | $106,580 | $51.24 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for mechanical drafters (SOC 17-3013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Mechanical drafter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Mechanical drafters earn the most in New Mexico at $89,940 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $52,610. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $89,940 | 90 |
| Colorado | $85,280 | 580 |
| New Jersey | $83,380 | 690 |
| California | $82,510 | 3,640 |
| Texas | $79,380 | 4,630 |
| Louisiana | $77,730 | 420 |
| North Dakota | $77,570 | 100 |
| Washington | $76,820 | 1,690 |
| Maryland | $76,740 | 360 |
| New York | $76,490 | 1,940 |
| Maine | $76,360 | 620 |
| Nevada | $75,830 | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $75,490 | 620 |
| Oregon | $74,000 | 410 |
| Minnesota | $73,090 | 1,220 |
| Vermont | $73,040 | 70 |
| Michigan | $72,280 | 2,030 |
| Ohio | $70,580 | 1,790 |
| Utah | $70,000 | 490 |
| Virginia | $69,630 | 630 |
| Rhode Island | $69,290 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $68,880 | 510 |
| Connecticut | $68,830 | 450 |
| Florida | $68,050 | 1,540 |
| Arizona | $67,410 | 630 |
| Georgia | $66,670 | 820 |
| Missouri | $66,350 | 870 |
| Kansas | $65,250 | 540 |
| West Virginia | $65,100 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $63,770 | 1,630 |
| South Carolina | $63,740 | 640 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,480 | 2,330 |
| Oklahoma | $63,440 | 650 |
| Tennessee | $63,390 | 740 |
| Iowa | $63,330 | 630 |
| Illinois | $63,320 | 450 |
| Indiana | $62,820 | 1,300 |
| Nebraska | $61,170 | 530 |
| Wyoming | $61,070 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $60,460 | 260 |
| Arkansas | $59,960 | 250 |
| Idaho | $59,050 | 330 |
| North Carolina | $59,050 | 1,350 |
| Delaware | $57,110 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $55,390 | N/A |
| Alabama | $53,600 | 440 |
| South Dakota | $52,610 | 100 |
State median wages for mechanical drafters (SOC 17-3013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for mechanical drafters
The BLS projects employment of mechanical drafters to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 6%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 42,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 39,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,900 openings a year for mechanical drafters. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a mechanical drafter
The typical entry-level education for mechanical drafters is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a mechanical drafter earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Mexico, $89,940) and the lowest (South Dakota, $52,610) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 39,960 people work as mechanical drafters in the United States. At $71,550 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Mechanical drafter salary FAQ
How much does a mechanical drafter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a mechanical drafter is $34.40. The middle half of mechanical drafters earn between $27.93 and $41.41 per hour.
What is the highest mechanical drafter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of mechanical drafters earn more than $106,580 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a mechanical drafter make a year?
The median annual salary for a mechanical drafter is $71,550. The average (mean) wage of $75,060 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a mechanical drafter a well paid job?
At $71,550 a year, a mechanical drafter earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 39,960 people work as mechanical drafters in the United States.
Which state pays mechanical drafters the most?
New Mexico has the highest median salary for mechanical drafters at $89,940 a year. Colorado ($85,280) and New Jersey ($83,380) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a mechanical drafter a good career?
Employment of mechanical drafters is projected to shrink 6% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a mechanical drafter?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for mechanical drafters as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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