Mechanical Drafter salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Mechanical Drafters in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $77,250 a year ($37.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,050 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 9% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $70,580. There are 0.27 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,200 | $25.10 |
| 25th percentile | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| Median | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| 75th percentile | $86,240 | $41.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,050 | $51.46 |
| Average (mean) | $77,710 | $37.36 |
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 | $6,437.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,218.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,971.15 |
| Weekly | $1,485.58 |
| Hourly | $37.14 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $76,480 | 350 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $73,030 | 230 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,540 | 320 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $71,520 | 100 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $69,240 | 310 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $67,660 | 50 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $64,820 | 80 |
| Cleveland, OH | $64,770 | 210 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $63,750 | 60 |
| Toledo, OH | $63,720 | 90 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $63,580 | 100 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $63,400 | 40 |
| Akron, OH | $63,030 | 100 |
| Columbus, IN | $61,730 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $60,760 | 40 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $58,880 | 140 |
| Evansville, IN | $57,060 | 40 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $55,160 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,600 | $37.31 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,010 | $33.66 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,850 | $31.18 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,270 | $32.82 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $59,850 | $28.78 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $67,010 | $32.22 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $51,830 | $24.92 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| Drafters, All Other | $60,950 | $29.30 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $67,020 | $32.22 |
| Industrial Engineer | $105,140 | $50.55 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $77,250 a year, or $37.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $107,050 a year. The top 25% earn $86,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,200 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $64,290 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 300 mechanical drafters are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.