17 Series · SOC 17-3013
Mechanical Drafters Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $71,550
- Median / year
- +4.4%
- 2024→2025
- $106,580
- Top 10% earn
- -6.5%
- Growth '24–'34
- 39,960
- Estimated US jobs
Mechanical Drafters earn a median of $71,550 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $71,550, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $48,360 (10th percentile) to $106,580 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 39,960 estimated jobs in covered establishments. The highest published state median in this ranking is New Mexico ($89,940).
The pay verdict
Mechanical Drafters earn a median of $71,550, putting them above the typical US occupation and higher than 63% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Architecture and Engineering, it ranks #29 of 36 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 6.5% by 2034.
- $71,550
- Median annual wage
- Top 37%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #29 of 36
- in Architecture and Engineering
- 2.2×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: New Mexico at $89,940. Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
Observed pay change
What changed, BLS OEWS 2019–2025
- The published national median for Mechanical Drafters moved from $57,060 in May 2019 to $71,550 in May 2025 (+25.4%).
- Across the 749 occupations priced in both releases under SOC-2018, the median occupation changed +24.5%.
- Mechanical Drafters sits +0.9 pp near that median, nominal dollars, no price deflator applied.
Mechanical Drafters (SOC 17-3013) has a national median of $71,550 per year in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 release. The published 10th-to-90th-percentile boundaries run from $48,360 to $106,580, and the published mean is $75,060. Those summary statistics describe the estimated distribution; their difference alone does not identify its cause. OEWS estimates 39,960 jobs in covered establishments nationally. WageDex has published rows for 48 state or territory areas and 235 metropolitan or nonmetropolitan wage areas. The published national median moved from $68,510 in the May 2024 OEWS release to $71,550 in May 2025, a rise of $3,040 (+4.4%). This is a change between two BLS survey estimates, not an inflation-adjusted same-worker pay raise.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a -6.5% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which we classify as declining relative to the all-occupations baseline of 3.1%. About 3,300 openings are projected per year from growth, occupational transfers, and labor-force exits. BLS assigns Associate's degree as typical education needed for entry. BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific fatality and injury rate for this role in the current release. The safety panel below shows its broad Architecture and Engineering Occupations SOC-group context and is not an occupation-level measurement or ranking.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. New Mexico pays the highest state median at $89,940, which is +26% above the national figure. The highest published metropolitan-area median in this ranking is Boulder, CO at $102,710, a small-sample estimate from fewer than 100 workers. The observed difference does not identify its cause. Pair the national median with the state and metropolitan-area rows below while keeping the geography and statistic consistent. OEWS includes tips, commissions, incentive pay, and production bonuses, but not employer benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, or nonproduction bonuses. See our methodology for the sourcing and calculation details.
Median Salary
$71,550
per year
Median Hourly
$34.40/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$75,060
average
Employment
39,960
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Mechanical Drafters pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$71,550 Top 37% higher than 63% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Read the chart as text · as of May 2025
| Band | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| $0–$20,000 | 0 US occupations | 0% |
| $20,000–$40,000 | 98 US occupations | 12% |
| $40,000–$60,000 | 298 US occupations | 36% |
| $60,000–$80,000 (this entry) | 209 US occupations | 25% |
| $80,000–$100,000 | 82 US occupations | 10% |
| $100,000–$120,000 | 58 US occupations | 7% |
| $120,000–$140,000 | 32 US occupations | 4% |
| $140,000–$160,000 | 14 US occupations | 2% |
| $160,000–$180,000 | 9 US occupations | 1% |
| $180,000 and above | 25 US occupations | 3% |
$71,550 · 63rd percentile of 825 US occupations
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 17-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Mechanical Drafters; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Read the chart as text
- Civil Engineers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5%, Median annual wage $100840
- Industrial Engineers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 11%, Median annual wage $102440
- Mechanical Engineers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 9.1%, Median annual wage $104110
- Electrical Engineers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 7.2%, Median annual wage $120630
- Engineers, All Other: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.1%, Median annual wage $122930
- Architects, Except L…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.9%, Median annual wage $99280
- Architectural and Ci…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.1%, Median annual wage $66150
- Electronics Engineer…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.2%, Median annual wage $130220
- Electrical and Elect…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 0.6%, Median annual wage $78190
- Computer Hardware En…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 7.3%, Median annual wage $161740
- Industrial Engineeri…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.7%, Median annual wage $66120
- Civil Engineering Te…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.1%, Median annual wage $64950
- Aerospace Engineers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.1%, Median annual wage $134960
- Engineering Technolo…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.5%, Median annual wage $78350
- Surveying and Mappin…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.5%, Median annual wage $54240
- Surveyors: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.4%, Median annual wage $75440
- Mechanical Drafters: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -6.5%, Median annual wage $71550
- Environmental Engine…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.9%, Median annual wage $107110
- Bioengineers and Bio…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.2%, Median annual wage $109370
- Materials Engineers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.7%, Median annual wage $112860
- Health and Safety En…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.4%, Median annual wage $115160
- Chemical Engineers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.6%, Median annual wage $125040
- Landscape Architects: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.5%, Median annual wage $79870
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
-6.5%
Declining
Annual Openings
3,300
per year (projected)
Employment Change
-2,800
42,900 (2024) → 40,100 (2034)
Typical Education
Associate's degree
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Architecture and Engineering Occupations context
Broad SOC context, not an occupation grade
Fatality Rate
2/100K
Injury Rate
0.5/100
Danger Index
3/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Mechanical Drafters roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- ▸ Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- ▸ Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
- ▸ Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
- ▸ Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
- ▸ Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
- ▸ Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
- ▸ Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment.
- ▸ Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.
- ▸ Confer with customer representatives to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to installation of systems.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
Mechanical Drafters pay history, 2015–2025
Published national median across 11 BLS OEWS releases. Nominal dollars, not inflation-adjusted.
Read the chart as text
| Period | National median |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $53,520 |
| 2016 | $54,480 |
| 2017 | $55,130 |
| 2018 | $55,920 |
| 2019 | $57,060 |
| 2020 | $58,270 |
| 2021 | $60,200 |
| 2022 | $61,310 |
| 2023 | $64,060 |
| 2024 | $68,510 |
| 2025 | $71,550 |
2015 median
$53,520
2025 median
$71,550
2019–2025 change (same SOC)
+$14,490 (+25.4%)
Avg/year (same SOC)
+3.8%
| Release | Median | Change | Estimated jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | $53,520 | First banked release | 65,250 |
| May 2016 | $54,480 | +1.8% | 63,630 |
| May 2017 | $55,130 | +1.2% | 58,190 |
| May 2018 | $55,920 | +1.4% | 56,170 |
| May 2019 | $57,060 | Classification break | 55,210 |
| May 2020 | $58,270 | +2.1% | 51,620 |
| May 2021 | $60,200 | +3.3% | 47,760 |
| May 2022 | $61,310 | +1.8% | 47,540 |
| May 2023 | $64,060 | +4.5% | 44,850 |
| May 2024 | $68,510 | +6.9% | 39,900 |
| May 2025 | $71,550 | +4.4% | 39,960 |
Across the 11 releases WageDex holds for this occupation, the published national median went from $53,520 in May 2015 to $71,550 in May 2025. Within the SOC-2018 classification (2019–2025), the like-for-like change averages +3.8% per year in nominal terms. Within the same SOC classification, estimated employment went from 55,210 in May 2019 to 39,960 in May 2025.
Each figure is a separate BLS survey estimate, so a change between releases reflects the estimated occupation-wide median in each year. It is not the raise any individual worker received, and it is not adjusted for inflation. Years where BLS did not publish an annual median for this occupation are omitted rather than filled in. This span also crosses a classification change: releases before May 2019 use the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification and later releases use the 2018 SOC, so figures either side of that boundary are not strictly like-for-like. Headline change rates on this page use only the same-classification subset.
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 48 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $89,940 | +26% above national |
| 2 | Colorado | $85,280 | +19% above national |
| 3 | New Jersey | $83,380 | +17% above national |
| 4 | California | $82,510 | +15% above national |
| 5 | Texas | $79,380 | +11% above national |
| 6 | Louisiana | $77,730 | +9% above national |
| 7 | North Dakota | $77,570 | +8% above national |
| 8 | Washington | $76,820 | +7% above national |
| 9 | Maryland | $76,740 | +7% above national |
| 10 | New York | $76,490 | +7% above national |
| 11 | Maine | $76,360 | +7% above national |
| 12 | Nevada | $75,830 | +6% above national |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $75,490 | +6% above national |
| 14 | Oregon | $74,000 | +3% above national |
| 15 | Minnesota | $73,090 | +2% above national |
| 16 | Vermont Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $73,040 | +2% above national |
| 17 | Michigan | $72,280 | +1% above national |
| 18 | Ohio | $70,580 | 1% below national |
| 19 | Utah | $70,000 | 2% below national |
| 20 | Virginia | $69,630 | 3% below national |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $69,290 | 3% below national |
| 22 | Kentucky | $68,880 | 4% below national |
| 23 | Connecticut | $68,830 | 4% below national |
| 24 | Florida | $68,050 | 5% below national |
| 25 | Arizona | $67,410 | 6% below national |
| 26 | Georgia | $66,670 | 7% below national |
| 27 | Missouri | $66,350 | 7% below national |
| 28 | Kansas | $65,250 | 9% below national |
| 29 | West Virginia | $65,100 | 9% below national |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $63,770 | 11% below national |
| 31 | South Carolina | $63,740 | 11% below national |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $63,480 | 11% below national |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $63,440 | 11% below national |
| 34 | Tennessee | $63,390 | 11% below national |
| 35 | Iowa | $63,330 | 11% below national |
| 36 | Illinois | $63,320 | 12% below national |
| 37 | Indiana | $62,820 | 12% below national |
| 38 | Nebraska | $61,170 | 15% below national |
| 39 | Wyoming Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $61,070 | 15% below national |
| 40 | Mississippi | $60,460 | 15% below national |
| 41 | Arkansas | $59,960 | 16% below national |
| 42 | Idaho | $59,050 | 17% below national |
| 43 | North Carolina | $59,050 | 17% below national |
| 44 | Delaware | $57,110 | 20% below national |
| 45 | New Hampshire | $55,390 | 23% below national |
| 46 | Alabama | $53,600 | 25% below national |
| 47 | Puerto Rico | $53,470 | 25% below national |
| 48 | South Dakota | $52,610 | 26% below national |
Small sample marks a row whose BLS estimate rests on fewer than 100 workers. It is still a published figure, but BLS reports more sampling error for cells this small: the median relative standard error of the mean wage is 3.9% under 100 workers against 2.3% at 100 or more (May 2025 state estimates). Small gaps in rank between neighbouring rows may not be meaningful.
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
Lowest Paying Metros
View all 180 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder, CO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $102,710 | +44% above national |
| 2 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,310 | +37% above national |
| 3 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,450 | +36% above national |
| 4 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $94,470 | +32% above national |
| 5 | Albuquerque, NM Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $94,140 | +32% above national |
| 6 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $90,160 | +26% above national |
| 7 | Colorado Springs, CO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $87,860 | +23% above national |
| 8 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $87,220 | +22% above national |
| 9 | Idaho Falls, ID Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $86,420 | +21% above national |
| 10 | Midland, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $86,100 | +20% above national |
| 11 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $84,100 | +18% above national |
| 12 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,070 | +17% above national |
| 13 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $83,550 | +17% above national |
| 14 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $83,200 | +16% above national |
| 15 | Niles, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $82,960 | +16% above national |
| 16 | Wichita, KS | $82,590 | +15% above national |
| 17 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $80,970 | +13% above national |
| 18 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $80,780 | +13% above national |
| 19 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $80,550 | +13% above national |
| 20 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,510 | +13% above national |
| 21 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $79,180 | +11% above national |
| 22 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $79,130 | +11% above national |
| 23 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $78,990 | +10% above national |
| 24 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $78,820 | +10% above national |
| 25 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $78,790 | +10% above national |
| 26 | Gulfport-Biloxi, MS Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $78,640 | +10% above national |
| 27 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $78,350 | +10% above national |
| 28 | Huntsville, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $78,250 | +9% above national |
| 29 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,210 | +9% above national |
| 30 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $78,110 | +9% above national |
| 31 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,790 | +9% above national |
| 32 | Baton Rouge, LA | $77,720 | +9% above national |
| 33 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $77,670 | +9% above national |
| 34 | Fargo, ND-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $77,520 | +8% above national |
| 35 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $77,500 | +8% above national |
| 36 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $77,250 | +8% above national |
| 37 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $77,160 | +8% above national |
| 38 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,600 | +7% above national |
| 39 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $76,520 | +7% above national |
| 40 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $76,490 | +7% above national |
| 41 | Columbus, OH | $76,480 | +7% above national |
| 42 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $76,360 | +7% above national |
| 43 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $76,340 | +7% above national |
| 44 | Stockton-Lodi, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $76,170 | +6% above national |
| 45 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $75,830 | +6% above national |
| 46 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,770 | +6% above national |
| 47 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $75,610 | +6% above national |
| 48 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $75,560 | +6% above national |
| 49 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,510 | +6% above national |
| 50 | Syracuse, NY | $75,510 | +6% above national |
| 51 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $75,360 | +5% above national |
| 52 | Fond du Lac, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $75,240 | +5% above national |
| 53 | Grand Forks, ND-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $75,160 | +5% above national |
| 54 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $75,050 | +5% above national |
| 55 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $74,490 | +4% above national |
| 56 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,100 | +4% above national |
| 57 | Omaha, NE-IA | $73,790 | +3% above national |
| 58 | Bellingham, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $73,680 | +3% above national |
| 59 | Sheboygan, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $73,440 | +3% above national |
| 60 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $73,230 | +2% above national |
| 61 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $73,030 | +2% above national |
| 62 | New Haven, CT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $72,970 | +2% above national |
| 63 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $72,940 | +2% above national |
| 64 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,540 | +1% above national |
| 65 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $72,510 | +1% above national |
| 66 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $72,500 | +1% above national |
| 67 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $72,170 | +1% above national |
| 68 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $71,920 | +1% above national |
| 69 | Ogden, UT | $71,860 | same as national |
| 70 | Longview, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $71,790 | same as national |
| 71 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | $71,520 | same as national |
| 72 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $70,830 | 1% below national |
| 73 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $69,990 | 2% below national |
| 74 | Fresno, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $69,850 | 2% below national |
| 75 | Reading, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $69,840 | 2% below national |
| 76 | Rochester, NY | $69,750 | 3% below national |
| 77 | Richmond, VA | $69,630 | 3% below national |
| 78 | Pittsburgh, PA | $69,550 | 3% below national |
| 79 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $69,370 | 3% below national |
| 80 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $69,240 | 3% below national |
| 81 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $69,150 | 3% below national |
| 82 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $68,960 | 4% below national |
| 83 | Jacksonville, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $68,880 | 4% below national |
| 84 | Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $68,830 | 4% below national |
| 85 | Jackson, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $68,760 | 4% below national |
| 86 | Tulsa, OK | $68,640 | 4% below national |
| 87 | Ann Arbor, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,980 | 5% below national |
| 88 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,850 | 5% below national |
| 89 | Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,750 | 5% below national |
| 90 | Elizabethtown, KY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,660 | 5% below national |
| 91 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $67,600 | 6% below national |
| 92 | Springfield, MA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,470 | 6% below national |
| 93 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,380 | 6% below national |
| 94 | Mankato, MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,250 | 6% below national |
| 95 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $67,190 | 6% below national |
| 96 | Worcester, MA | $66,980 | 6% below national |
| 97 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $66,710 | 7% below national |
| 98 | Roanoke, VA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $66,560 | 7% below national |
| 99 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $66,170 | 8% below national |
| 100 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $66,090 | 8% below national |
| 101 | Modesto, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $66,060 | 8% below national |
| 102 | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $66,020 | 8% below national |
| 103 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $65,840 | 8% below national |
| 104 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $65,170 | 9% below national |
| 105 | Madison, WI | $64,990 | 9% below national |
| 106 | Fort Wayne, IN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $64,820 | 9% below national |
| 107 | Cleveland, OH | $64,770 | 9% below national |
| 108 | Knoxville, TN | $64,730 | 10% below national |
| 109 | Chattanooga, TN-GA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $64,510 | 10% below national |
| 110 | Springfield, MO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $64,330 | 10% below national |
| 111 | Appleton, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $64,320 | 10% below national |
| 112 | St. Cloud, MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $64,000 | 11% below national |
| 113 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,980 | 11% below national |
| 114 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,790 | 11% below national |
| 115 | Canton-Massillon, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,750 | 11% below national |
| 116 | Toledo, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,720 | 11% below national |
| 117 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,680 | 11% below national |
| 118 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $63,580 | 11% below national |
| 119 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,470 | 11% below national |
| 120 | Oklahoma City, OK | $63,450 | 11% below national |
| 121 | Oshkosh-Neenah, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,440 | 11% below national |
| 122 | Clarksville, TN-KY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,400 | 11% below national |
| 123 | Janesville-Beloit, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,230 | 12% below national |
| 124 | Reno, NV Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,180 | 12% below national |
| 125 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $63,140 | 12% below national |
| 126 | Akron, OH | $63,030 | 12% below national |
| 127 | Utica-Rome, NY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $62,910 | 12% below national |
| 128 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $62,890 | 12% below national |
| 129 | York-Hanover, PA | $62,730 | 12% below national |
| 130 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $62,550 | 13% below national |
| 131 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $62,420 | 13% below national |
| 132 | Tucson, AZ Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $62,140 | 13% below national |
| 133 | Salem, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $61,850 | 14% below national |
| 134 | Kenosha, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $61,800 | 14% below national |
| 135 | Columbus, IN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $61,730 | 14% below national |
| 136 | Manchester-Nashua, NH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $61,670 | 14% below national |
| 137 | Green Bay, WI | $61,590 | 14% below national |
| 138 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,330 | 14% below national |
| 139 | Columbia, SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $61,300 | 14% below national |
| 140 | Eau Claire, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $61,290 | 14% below national |
| 141 | Duluth, MN-WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $61,270 | 14% below national |
| 142 | Lancaster, PA | $61,270 | 14% below national |
| 143 | Lafayette, LA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $61,240 | 14% below national |
| 144 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,220 | 14% below national |
| 145 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $61,060 | 15% below national |
| 146 | Lynchburg, VA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,930 | 15% below national |
| 147 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,760 | 15% below national |
| 148 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,680 | 15% below national |
| 149 | Jefferson City, MO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,550 | 15% below national |
| 150 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,260 | 16% below national |
| 151 | Glens Falls, NY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,130 | 16% below national |
| 152 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $59,850 | 16% below national |
| 153 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $59,660 | 17% below national |
| 154 | Chambersburg, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,550 | 17% below national |
| 155 | Florence, SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,320 | 17% below national |
| 156 | Asheville, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,270 | 17% below national |
| 157 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,270 | 17% below national |
| 158 | Birmingham, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,260 | 17% below national |
| 159 | Lincoln, NE Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,190 | 17% below national |
| 160 | Ocala, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,140 | 17% below national |
| 161 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $58,880 | 18% below national |
| 162 | Amarillo, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $58,580 | 18% below national |
| 163 | Winston-Salem, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $58,560 | 18% below national |
| 164 | Eugene-Springfield, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $58,090 | 19% below national |
| 165 | Erie, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $57,970 | 19% below national |
| 166 | Wausau, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $57,920 | 19% below national |
| 167 | Dubuque, IA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $57,440 | 20% below national |
| 168 | Cedar Rapids, IA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $57,430 | 20% below national |
| 169 | Evansville, IN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $57,060 | 20% below national |
| 170 | Boise City, ID | $56,860 | 21% below national |
| 171 | Yakima, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $55,510 | 22% below national |
| 172 | Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $55,290 | 23% below national |
| 173 | Youngstown-Warren, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $55,160 | 23% below national |
| 174 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $53,630 | 25% below national |
| 175 | Montgomery, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $50,420 | 30% below national |
| 176 | Wilmington, NC | $50,150 | 30% below national |
| 177 | Mobile, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $49,210 | 31% below national |
| 178 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $47,570 | 34% below national |
| 179 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $47,400 | 34% below national |
| 180 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $43,680 | 39% below national |
Small sample marks a row whose BLS estimate rests on fewer than 100 workers. It is still a published figure, but BLS reports more sampling error for cells this small: the median relative standard error of the mean wage is 3.4% under 100 workers against 2.1% at 100 or more (May 2025 metro estimates). Small gaps in rank between neighbouring rows may not be meaningful.
Same SOC major group
Other detailed occupations in SOC major group 17 (Architecture and Engineering Occupations) - category peers, not a pay match.
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
SOC 17-3021
Aerospace Engineers
SOC 17-2011
Agricultural Engineers
SOC 17-2021
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
SOC 17-1011
Architectural and Civil Drafters
SOC 17-3011
Showing 5 of 35 detailed occupations BLS assigns to this SOC major group.
Nationwide occupations with similar pay or employment scale
Two OEWS peer sets outside this SOC major group (Architecture and Engineering Occupations). Same-category cards above stay inside the group; these neighborhoods are cross-group nearest neighbors on national median pay ($71,550 here) and reported employment (39,960 jobs here).
Similar median pay
Nearest other detailed occupations by BLS OEWS national median annual wage.
Similar employment scale
Nearest headcount peers (floor 1,000 national jobs), distinct from the pay column.
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on BLS OEWS national median annual wage and reported employment. Employment peers exclude occupations already listed in the pay column so the two link sets stay distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What to do with this data
How to use Mechanical Drafters pay figures in a real decision
- The 75th-percentile wage is about $86,120/year. Treat it as the upper-quartile market boundary, not an automatic target for experience alone; role scope, location, industry, credentials, performance, and employer context still need separate evidence. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: New Mexico leads at $89,940/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Occupation wages use BLS OEWS May 2025; outlook uses BLS Employment Projections for 2024–2034; safety, skills, knowledge, and task panels identify their BLS or O*NET sources in context. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.