Mechanical Drafters Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for mechanical drafters in the United States is $71,550 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 40,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,360 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $58,080 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $71,550 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $86,120 | Experienced |
| 90th | $106,580 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $89,940 | $98,460 | 90 |
| Colorado | $85,280 | $93,270 | 580 |
| New Jersey | $83,380 | $86,540 | 690 |
| California | $82,510 | $86,750 | 4,000 |
| Texas | $79,380 | $80,450 | 5,000 |
| Louisiana | $77,730 | $86,680 | 420 |
| North Dakota | $77,570 | $77,950 | 100 |
| Washington | $76,820 | $87,150 | 2,000 |
| Maryland | $76,740 | $81,200 | 360 |
| New York | $76,490 | $79,250 | 2,000 |
| Maine | $76,360 | $68,780 | 620 |
| Nevada | $75,830 | $78,230 | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $75,490 | $79,060 | 620 |
| Oregon | $74,000 | $80,870 | 410 |
| Minnesota | $73,090 | $73,850 | 1,000 |
| Vermont | $73,040 | $76,120 | 70 |
| Michigan | $72,280 | $75,920 | 2,000 |
| Ohio | $70,580 | $71,460 | 2,000 |
| Utah | $70,000 | $72,730 | 490 |
| Virginia | $69,630 | $71,730 | 630 |
| Rhode Island | $69,290 | $70,850 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $68,880 | $70,230 | 510 |
| Connecticut | $68,830 | $71,180 | 450 |
| Florida | $68,050 | $70,180 | 2,000 |
| Arizona | $67,410 | $72,030 | 630 |
| Georgia | $66,670 | $74,150 | 820 |
| Missouri | $66,350 | $73,680 | 870 |
| Kansas | $65,250 | $71,170 | 540 |
| West Virginia | $65,100 | $70,340 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $63,770 | $67,960 | 2,000 |
| South Carolina | $63,740 | $72,080 | 640 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,480 | $70,250 | 2,000 |
| Oklahoma | $63,440 | $66,330 | 650 |
| Tennessee | $63,390 | $68,100 | 740 |
| Iowa | $63,330 | $66,820 | 630 |
| Illinois | $63,320 | $71,290 | 450 |
| Indiana | $62,820 | $65,210 | 1,000 |
| Nebraska | $61,170 | $64,230 | 530 |
| Wyoming | $61,070 | $65,450 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $60,460 | $66,140 | 260 |
| Arkansas | $59,960 | $64,200 | 250 |
| Idaho | $59,050 | $68,050 | 330 |
| North Carolina | $59,050 | $62,030 | 1,000 |
| Delaware | $57,110 | $61,690 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $55,390 | $61,240 | — |
| Alabama | $53,600 | $61,230 | 440 |
| Puerto Rico | $53,470 | $57,610 | 320 |
| South Dakota | $52,610 | $56,030 | 100 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a mechanical drafters in the US?
The US national median wage for mechanical drafters is $71,550 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for mechanical drafters in the US?
Pay ranges from $48,360 at the 10th percentile to $106,580 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay mechanical drafters the most?
The highest-paying states for mechanical drafters include New Mexico ($89,940), Colorado ($85,280), New Jersey ($83,380). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does mechanical drafters salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — New Mexico ($89,940) pays roughly 71% more than South Dakota ($52,610). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02