Mechanical Drafter Salary in 2026
How Much Do Mechanical Drafters Make?
Mechanical Drafters earn a median annual salary of $68,510 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $46,500 at the 10th percentile to $107,600 at the 90th percentile — a range of $61,100. The highest-paying state is New Mexico at $85,220.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,500 |
| 25th percentile | $56,470 |
| Median (50th) | $68,510 |
| 75th percentile | $85,580 |
| 90th percentile | $107,600 |
Mechanical Drafter Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexicotop | $85,220 |
| Colorado | $85,050 |
| Vermont | $81,840 |
| California | $80,430 |
| Arizona | $80,270 |
| Nevada | $79,710 |
| Oregon | $79,660 |
| New Jersey | $79,190 |
| Maryland | $77,300 |
| Texas | $76,740 |
| Rhode Island | $76,390 |
| Louisiana | $75,230 |
| Washington | $75,190 |
| Michigan | $74,390 |
| Kansas | $73,800 |
| Minnesota | $73,140 |
| Illinois | $72,530 |
| Massachusetts | $71,610 |
| New York | $69,440 |
| Utah | $68,520 |
| Connecticut | $67,420 |
| Missouri | $66,740 |
| South Carolina | $66,450 |
| Ohio | $66,290 |
| Oklahoma | $66,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,170 |
| North Dakota | $66,140 |
| Iowa | $65,160 |
| Kentucky | $65,110 |
| Georgia | $65,050 |
| Virginia | $64,820 |
| Tennessee | $64,180 |
| Idaho | $63,900 |
| Delaware | $63,560 |
| Florida | $62,360 |
| Indiana | $62,240 |
| North Carolina | $61,990 |
| Wisconsin | $61,960 |
| Arkansas | $60,620 |
| Maine | $59,960 |
| Mississippi | $58,760 |
| Montana | $57,590 |
| West Virginia | $57,040 |
| New Hampshire | $56,460 |
| Wyoming | $52,660 |
| Nebraska | $52,620 |
| South Dakota | $51,270 |
| Alabama | $49,580 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Mechanical Drafters
Mechanical Drafter Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$46,500 – $56,470 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$68,510 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$85,580 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $107,600+ |
How to Earn More as a Mechanical Drafter
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Mechanical Drafters in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $111,820 — $43,310 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($85,580) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Mechanical Drafter Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Drafterthis career | $68,510 |
| Software Developer | $133,080 |
| Electrical Engineer | $111,910 |
| Electronics Engineer | $127,590 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,140 |
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SOC: 17-3013.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.