Mechanical Drafters Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $71,550 · Median hourly: $34.40 · Employment: 39,960
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| 25th | $58,080 | $27.93 |
| Median | $71,550 | $34.40 |
| 75th | $86,120 | $41.41 |
| 90th | $106,580 | $51.24 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 17-3013
- Total U.S. employment: 39,960
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
A closer look
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
At $34.40 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $71,552 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $71,550.
Mechanical Drafters Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $53,600 | $25.77 | -25.1% | 440 |
| Alaska | — | — | — | 50 |
| Arizona | $67,410 | $32.41 | -5.8% | 630 |
| Arkansas | $59,960 | $28.83 | -16.2% | 250 |
| California | $82,510 | $39.67 | +15.3% | 3,640 |
| Colorado | $85,280 | $41.00 | +19.2% | 580 |
| Connecticut | $68,830 | $33.09 | -3.8% | 450 |
| Delaware | $57,110 | $27.46 | -20.2% | 160 |
| Florida | $68,050 | $32.72 | -4.9% | 1,540 |
| Georgia | $66,670 | $32.06 | -6.8% | 820 |
| Idaho | $59,050 | $28.39 | -17.5% | 330 |
| Illinois | $63,320 | $30.44 | -11.5% | 450 |
| Indiana | $62,820 | $30.20 | -12.2% | 1,300 |
| Iowa | $63,330 | $30.45 | -11.5% | 630 |
| Kansas | $65,250 | $31.37 | -8.8% | 540 |
| Kentucky | $68,880 | $33.12 | -3.7% | 510 |
| Louisiana | $77,730 | $37.37 | +8.6% | 420 |
| Maine | $76,360 | $36.71 | +6.7% | 620 |
| Maryland | $76,740 | $36.89 | +7.3% | 360 |
| Massachusetts | $75,490 | $36.29 | +5.5% | 620 |
| Michigan | $72,280 | $34.75 | +1.0% | 2,030 |
| Minnesota | $73,090 | $35.14 | +2.2% | 1,220 |
| Mississippi | $60,460 | $29.07 | -15.5% | 260 |
| Missouri | $66,350 | $31.90 | -7.3% | 870 |
| Nebraska | $61,170 | $29.41 | -14.5% | 530 |
| Nevada | $75,830 | $36.46 | +6.0% | 250 |
| New Hampshire | $55,390 | $26.63 | -22.6% | 0 |
| New Jersey | $83,380 | $40.09 | +16.5% | 690 |
| New Mexico | $89,940 | $43.24 | +25.7% | 90 |
| New York | $76,490 | $36.78 | +6.9% | 1,940 |
| North Carolina | $59,050 | $28.39 | -17.5% | 1,350 |
| North Dakota | $77,570 | $37.29 | +8.4% | 100 |
| Ohio | $70,580 | $33.93 | -1.4% | 1,790 |
| Oklahoma | $63,440 | $30.50 | -11.3% | 650 |
| Oregon | $74,000 | $35.58 | +3.4% | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,480 | $30.52 | -11.3% | 2,330 |
| Rhode Island | $69,290 | $33.31 | -3.2% | 100 |
| South Carolina | $63,740 | $30.64 | -10.9% | 640 |
| South Dakota | $52,610 | $25.29 | -26.5% | 100 |
| Tennessee | $63,390 | $30.48 | -11.4% | 740 |
| Texas | $79,380 | $38.16 | +10.9% | 4,630 |
| Utah | $70,000 | $33.65 | -2.2% | 490 |
| Vermont | $73,040 | $35.12 | +2.1% | 70 |
| Virginia | $69,630 | $33.48 | -2.7% | 630 |
| Washington | $76,820 | $36.93 | +7.4% | 1,690 |
| West Virginia | $65,100 | $31.30 | -9.0% | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $63,770 | $30.66 | -10.9% | 1,630 |
| Wyoming | $61,070 | $29.36 | -14.6% | 60 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
- Software Developers — $135,980/yr
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
- Accountants and Auditors — $83,680/yr
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for mechanical drafters?
The median annual wage for mechanical drafters is $71,550 ($34.40 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays mechanical drafters the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many mechanical drafters are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 39,960 mechanical drafters employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do mechanical drafters make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $34.40. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.