Mechanical Drafter salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Mechanical Drafters in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $72,500 a year ($34.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,980 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 5% lower than the New York statewide median of $76,490. There are 0.35 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,780 | $23.93 |
| 25th percentile | $59,120 | $28.42 |
| Median | $72,500 | $34.86 |
| 75th percentile | $87,450 | $42.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| Average (mean) | $75,090 | $36.10 |
Half of mechanical drafters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,041.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,020.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,788.46 |
| Weekly | $1,394.23 |
| Hourly | $34.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,070 | 1,180 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $76,490 | 90 |
| Syracuse, NY | $75,510 | 130 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $71,920 | 200 |
| Rochester, NY | $69,750 | 220 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $62,910 | 40 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $60,130 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical drafters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $89,940 |
| Colorado | $85,280 |
| New Jersey | $83,380 |
| California | $82,510 |
| Texas | $79,380 |
| Louisiana | $77,730 |
| North Dakota | $77,570 |
| Washington | $76,820 |
| Maryland | $76,740 |
| New York | $76,490 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $51,400 | $24.71 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,480 | $39.66 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,570 | $39.70 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $64,600 | $31.06 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $75,450 | $36.27 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,170 | $50.08 |
| Civil Engineer | $102,470 | $49.27 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $108,310 | $52.07 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,910 | $50.92 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical drafter make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $72,500 a year, or $34.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $106,980 a year. The top 25% earn $87,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,780 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $59,120 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 160 mechanical drafters are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.