Mechanical Drafters Salary by State
The national median pay for mechanical drafters is $71,550 a year. By state, it ranges from $52,610 in South Dakota to $89,940 in New Mexico.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $48,360
- 25th percentile
- $58,080
- Median
- $71,550
- 75th percentile
- $86,120
- Top 10%
- $106,580
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 39,960 jobs.
Median pay in 47 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $89,940 | +26% | $52,840 | $131,340 | 90 |
| 2 | Colorado | $85,280 | +19% | $57,700 | $127,880 | 580 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $83,380 | +17% | $55,890 | $121,250 | 690 |
| 4 | California | $82,510 | +15% | $50,200 | $128,160 | 3,640 |
| 5 | Texas | $79,380 | +11% | $52,000 | $106,080 | 4,630 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $77,730 | +9% | $44,460 | $142,240 | 420 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $77,570 | +8% | $56,380 | $121,580 | 100 |
| 8 | Washington | $76,820 | +7% | $53,500 | $137,690 | 1,690 |
| 9 | Maryland | $76,740 | +7% | $51,890 | $123,090 | 360 |
| 10 | New York | $76,490 | +7% | $51,990 | $109,530 | 1,940 |
| 11 | Maine | $76,360 | +7% | $52,170 | $76,360 | 620 |
| 12 | Nevada | $75,830 | +6% | $43,010 | $123,050 | 250 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $75,490 | +6% | $52,660 | $108,020 | 620 |
| 14 | Oregon | $74,000 | +3% | $53,950 | $122,470 | 410 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $73,090 | +2% | $52,380 | $100,080 | 1,220 |
| 16 | Vermont | $73,040 | +2% | $51,700 | $105,980 | 70 |
| 17 | Michigan | $72,280 | +1% | $47,100 | $112,170 | 2,030 |
| 18 | Ohio | $70,580 | −1% | $49,400 | $98,740 | 1,790 |
| 19 | Utah | $70,000 | −2% | $47,840 | $101,020 | 490 |
| 20 | Virginia | $69,630 | −3% | $47,840 | $94,800 | 630 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $69,290 | −3% | $42,070 | $96,830 | 100 |
| 22 | Kentucky | $68,880 | −4% | $50,530 | $96,020 | 510 |
| 23 | Connecticut | $68,830 | −4% | $42,530 | $103,380 | 450 |
| 24 | Florida | $68,050 | −5% | $45,760 | $100,400 | 1,540 |
| 25 | Arizona | $67,410 | −6% | $46,360 | $104,870 | 630 |
| 26 | Georgia | $66,670 | −7% | $49,920 | $107,140 | 820 |
| 27 | Missouri | $66,350 | −7% | $49,750 | $108,120 | 870 |
| 28 | Kansas | $65,250 | −9% | $45,870 | $100,380 | 540 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $65,100 | −9% | $51,270 | $99,540 | 140 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $63,770 | −11% | $48,010 | $92,260 | 1,630 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $63,740 | −11% | $52,550 | $109,840 | 640 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $63,480 | −11% | $47,700 | $95,130 | 2,330 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $63,440 | −11% | $42,130 | $92,040 | 650 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $63,390 | −11% | $47,440 | $96,210 | 740 |
| 35 | Iowa | $63,330 | −11% | $46,760 | $95,370 | 630 |
| 36 | Illinois | $63,320 | −12% | $56,710 | $94,930 | 450 |
| 37 | Indiana | $62,820 | −12% | $45,470 | $88,470 | 1,300 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $61,170 | −15% | $43,150 | $92,160 | 530 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $61,070 | −15% | $49,850 | $92,570 | 60 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $60,460 | −15% | $38,520 | $105,120 | 260 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $59,960 | −16% | $48,850 | $81,010 | 250 |
| 42 | Idaho | $59,050 | −17% | $46,190 | $104,100 | 330 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $59,050 | −17% | $45,490 | $84,560 | 1,350 |
| 44 | Delaware | $57,110 | −20% | $49,000 | $84,750 | 160 |
| 45 | New Hampshire | $55,390 | −23% | $39,990 | $87,070 | Not published |
| 46 | Alabama | $53,600 | −25% | $39,630 | $89,600 | 440 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $52,610 | −26% | $41,760 | $68,620 | 100 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Mechanical Drafters salary questions
Which state pays mechanical drafters the most?
New Mexico, with a median of $89,940 a year (+26% vs. the national median of $71,550). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays mechanical drafters the least?
South Dakota, with a median of $52,610 a year (−26% vs. national).
Where do most mechanical drafters work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 4,630, with a median of $79,380.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.