Mechanical Drafter Salary
Mechanical Drafters earn a median $71,550 a year nationally. Architecture and Engineering Occupations
U.S. median
$71,550
$34.40 per hour
Range
$48,360 – $106,580
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
39,960
across the U.S.
▲4.4%
Pay trend: The median for mechanical drafters in the U.S. rose from $68,510 (May 2024) to $71,550 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 2.0%.
What mechanical drafters do
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.0% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 2,900
- Self-employed
- 5%
Employment of mechanical drafters is projected to shrink 6.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Mechanical Drafter take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$59,165
per year · effective tax rate 17.3%
$4,930Monthly
$2,465Twice a month
$2,276Every 2 weeks
$28.44Hourly
- Federal income tax$6,911
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,436
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,037
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$59,165
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,360 | $23.25 | $41,037 |
| 25th percentile | $58,080 | $27.92 | $48,847 |
| Median (50th) | $71,550 | $34.40 | $59,165 |
| 75th percentile | $86,120 | $41.40 | $69,415 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,580 | $51.24 | $83,809 |
Mechanical Drafter salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $89,940 | +5.5% | $69,027 | $52,840 – $131,340 | 90 |
| Colorado | $85,280 | +0.3% | $65,781 | $57,700 – $127,880 | 580 |
| New Jersey | $83,380 | +5.3% | $64,366 | $55,890 – $121,250 | 690 |
| California | $82,510 | +2.6% | $62,359 | $50,200 – $128,160 | 3,640 |
| Texas | $79,380 | +3.4% | $64,674 | $52,000 – $106,080 | 4,630 |
| Louisiana | $77,730 | +3.3% | $61,567 | $44,460 – $142,240 | 420 |
| North Dakota | $77,570 | +17.3% | $63,147 | $56,380 – $121,580 | 100 |
| Washington | $76,820 | +2.2% | $62,873 | $53,500 – $137,690 | 1,690 |
| Maryland | $76,740 | −0.7% | $59,535 | $51,890 – $123,090 | 360 |
| New York | $76,490 | +10.2% | $59,107 | $51,990 – $109,530 | 1,940 |
| Maine | $76,360 | +27.4% | $58,577 | $52,170 – $76,360 | 620 |
| Nevada | $75,830 | −4.9% | $62,176 | $43,010 – $123,050 | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $75,490 | +5.4% | $58,383 | $52,660 – $108,020 | 620 |
| Oregon | $74,000 | −7.1% | $55,244 | $53,950 – $122,470 | 410 |
| Minnesota | $73,090 | −0.1% | $56,802 | $52,380 – $100,080 | 1,220 |
| Vermont | $73,040 | −10.8% | $57,853 | $51,700 – $105,980 | 70 |
| Michigan | $72,280 | −2.8% | $56,858 | $47,100 – $112,170 | 2,030 |
| Ohio | $70,580 | +6.5% | $57,324 | $49,400 – $98,740 | 1,790 |
| Utah | $70,000 | +2.2% | $55,891 | $47,840 – $101,020 | 490 |
| Virginia | $69,630 | +7.4% | $54,625 | $47,840 – $94,800 | 630 |
| Rhode Island | $69,290 | −9.3% | $55,594 | $42,070 – $96,830 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $68,880 | +5.8% | $54,994 | $50,530 – $96,020 | 510 |
| Connecticut | $68,830 | +2.1% | $55,041 | $42,530 – $103,380 | 450 |
| Florida | $68,050 | +9.1% | $56,703 | $45,760 – $100,400 | 1,540 |
| Arizona | $67,410 | −16.0% | $54,776 | $46,360 – $104,870 | 630 |
| Georgia | $66,670 | +2.5% | $52,895 | $49,920 – $107,140 | 820 |
| Missouri | $66,350 | −0.6% | $53,311 | $49,750 – $108,120 | 870 |
| Kansas | $65,250 | −11.6% | $51,767 | $45,870 – $100,380 | 540 |
| West Virginia | $65,100 | +14.1% | $52,285 | $51,270 – $99,540 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $63,770 | +2.9% | $51,394 | $48,010 – $92,260 | 1,630 |
| South Carolina | $63,740 | −4.1% | $50,728 | $52,550 – $109,840 | 640 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,480 | −4.1% | $51,237 | $47,700 – $95,130 | 2,330 |
| Oklahoma | $63,440 | −4.3% | $50,845 | $42,130 – $92,040 | 650 |
| Tennessee | $63,390 | −1.2% | $53,114 | $47,440 – $96,210 | 740 |
| Iowa | $63,330 | −2.8% | $51,311 | $46,760 – $95,370 | 630 |
| Illinois | $63,320 | −12.7% | $50,068 | $56,710 – $94,930 | 450 |
| Indiana | $62,820 | +0.9% | $50,832 | $45,470 – $88,470 | 1,300 |
| Nebraska | $61,170 | +16.2% | $49,426 | $43,150 – $92,160 | 530 |
| Wyoming | $61,070 | +16.0% | $51,250 | $49,850 – $92,570 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $60,460 | +2.9% | $49,073 | $38,520 – $105,120 | 260 |
| Arkansas | $59,960 | −1.1% | $48,232 | $48,850 – $81,010 | 250 |
| Idaho | $59,050 | −7.6% | $47,605 | $46,190 – $104,100 | 330 |
| North Carolina | $59,050 | −4.7% | $47,779 | $45,490 – $84,560 | 1,350 |
| Delaware | $57,110 | −10.1% | $45,575 | $49,000 – $84,750 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $55,390 | −1.9% | $46,686 | $39,990 – $87,070 | — |
| Alabama | $53,600 | +8.1% | $42,833 | $39,630 – $89,600 | 440 |
| South Dakota | $52,610 | +2.6% | $44,452 | $41,760 – $68,620 | 100 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Drafter | $76,870 | Associate's degree | -3.4% |
| Architectural and Civil Drafter | $66,150 | Associate's degree | +5.2% |
| Drafters, All Other | $63,520 | Associate's degree | -7.3% |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician | $73,900 | Associate's degree | +2.6% |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician | $74,510 | Associate's degree | +1.3% |
| Calibration Technologist and Technician | $67,820 | Associate's degree | +4.8% |
| Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician | $66,120 | Associate's degree | +3.1% |
| Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician | $64,950 | Associate's degree | +3.2% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician | $78,190 | Associate's degree | +2.4% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,350 | Associate's degree | +2.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical drafter make?
The national median salary for mechanical drafters is $71,550 a year ($34.40 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,360 and the top 10% earn over $106,580. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays mechanical drafters the most?
New Mexico has the highest median pay at $89,940.
How many mechanical drafters are there in the U.S.?
About 39,960 people work as mechanical drafters nationwide.