Mechanical Drafter salary in Arkansas
Mechanical Drafters in Arkansas earn a median of $59,960 a year ($28.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,010 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $71,550. Arkansas ranks 41st of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.19 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $64,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,850 | $23.48 |
| 25th percentile | $51,860 | $24.93 |
| Median | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| 75th percentile | $70,750 | $34.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,010 | $38.95 |
| Average (mean) | $64,200 | $30.87 |
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 | $4,996.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,498.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,306.15 |
| Weekly | $1,153.08 |
| Hourly | $28.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Drafter salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $67,850 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,330 | 110 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $59,850 | 100 |
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 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,960 | $33.63 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Drafters, All Other | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Civil Engineer | $85,020 | $40.88 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,410 | $47.31 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| Electrical Engineer | $96,860 | $46.57 |
| Engineers, All Other | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $78,190 | $37.59 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Arkansas is $59,960 a year, or $28.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Arkansas earn at least $81,010 a year. The top 25% earn $70,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,850 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $51,860 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Arkansas?
About 250 mechanical drafters are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.