Mechanical Drafter salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Mechanical Drafters in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $77,720 a year ($37.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,190 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is about the same as the Louisiana statewide median of $77,730. There are 0.34 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| 25th percentile | $58,460 | $28.11 |
| Median | $77,720 | $37.37 |
| 75th percentile | $103,580 | $49.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,190 | $62.11 |
| Average (mean) | $82,960 | $39.89 |
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 | $6,476.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,238.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,989.23 |
| Weekly | $1,494.62 |
| Hourly | $37.37 |
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 Orleans-Metairie, LA | $79,130 | 80 |
| Lafayette, LA | $61,240 | 50 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,300 | $33.80 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $67,360 | $32.39 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $80,670 | $38.78 |
| Drafters, All Other | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $102,380 | $49.22 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,680 | $34.94 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $119,630 | $57.51 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Engineers, All Other | $101,720 | $48.90 |
| Civil Engineer | $112,430 | $54.06 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $135,530 | $65.16 |
| Industrial Engineer | $129,500 | $62.26 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $77,720 a year, or $37.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $129,190 a year. The top 25% earn $103,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,730 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $58,460 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 140 mechanical drafters are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.