Mechanical Drafter salary in Albuquerque, NM
Mechanical Drafters in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $94,140 a year ($45.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,700 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 5% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $89,940. There are 0.13 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $104,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,220 | $33.76 |
| 25th percentile | $89,940 | $43.24 |
| Median | $94,140 | $45.26 |
| 75th percentile | $128,400 | $61.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,700 | $64.76 |
| Average (mean) | $104,030 | $50.02 |
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 | $7,845 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,922.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,620.77 |
| Weekly | $1,810.38 |
| Hourly | $45.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $102,250 | $49.16 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $53,750 | $25.84 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,700 | $38.32 |
| Electrical Engineer | $163,720 | $78.71 |
| Engineers, All Other | $163,630 | $78.67 |
| Industrial Engineer | $132,290 | $63.60 |
| Civil Engineer | $105,080 | $50.52 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $153,900 | $73.99 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $76,520 | $36.79 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $94,140 a year, or $45.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $134,700 a year. The top 25% earn $128,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,220 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $89,940 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 50 mechanical drafters are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.