Mechanical Drafter salary in Colorado
Mechanical Drafters in Colorado earn a median of $85,280 a year ($41.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,880 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $71,550. Colorado ranks 2nd of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.20 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $93,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| 25th percentile | $70,420 | $33.85 |
| Median | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| 75th percentile | $117,240 | $56.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,880 | $61.48 |
| Average (mean) | $93,270 | $44.84 |
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 | $7,106.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,553.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,280 |
| Weekly | $1,640 |
| Hourly | $41.00 |
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 Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $102,710 | 60 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $90,160 | 380 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $87,860 | 30 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,850 | $32.14 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $98,990 | $47.59 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Drafters, All Other | $67,320 | $32.36 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,420 | $48.76 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Colorado is $85,280 a year, or $41.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Colorado?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Colorado earn at least $127,880 a year. The top 25% earn $117,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,700 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $70,420 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Colorado?
About 580 mechanical drafters are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.