Mechanical Drafter salary in Birmingham, AL
Mechanical Drafters in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $59,260 a year ($28.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,880 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 11% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $53,600. There are 0.13 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $62,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| 25th percentile | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Median | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| 75th percentile | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Average (mean) | $62,350 | $29.98 |
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 | $4,938.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,469.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,279.23 |
| Weekly | $1,139.62 |
| Hourly | $28.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $78,250 | 90 |
| Montgomery, AL | $50,420 | 30 |
| Mobile, AL | $49,210 | 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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $53,490 | $25.72 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,420 | $46.84 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,480 | $48.31 |
| Electrical Engineer | $112,960 | $54.31 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,810 | $47.51 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $96,730 | $46.51 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $120,050 | $57.72 |
| Surveyor | $74,670 | $35.90 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $59,260 a year, or $28.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $82,880 a year. The top 25% earn $76,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,630 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $47,200 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Birmingham, AL?
About 70 mechanical drafters are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.