Mechanical Drafter salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Mechanical Drafters in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $77,670 a year ($37.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,680 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 22% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $63,740. There are 0.26 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| 25th percentile | $66,930 | $32.18 |
| Median | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| 75th percentile | $99,580 | $47.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,680 | $60.42 |
| Average (mean) | $84,810 | $40.78 |
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 | $6,472.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,236.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,987.31 |
| Weekly | $1,493.65 |
| Hourly | $37.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,190 | 60 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $66,170 | 180 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $62,890 | 400 |
| Columbia, SC | $61,300 | 30 |
| Florence, SC | $59,320 | 60 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,370 | $41.52 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $68,460 | $32.91 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,330 | $34.78 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,090 | $34.66 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Industrial Engineer | $110,830 | $53.29 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,820 | $53.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,410 | $65.10 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $77,670 a year, or $37.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $125,680 a year. The top 25% earn $99,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,400 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $66,930 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 100 mechanical drafters are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.