Mechanical Drafter salary in Columbia, SC
Mechanical Drafters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $61,300 a year ($29.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,100 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 4% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $63,740. There are 0.09 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $64,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| 25th percentile | $50,780 | $24.41 |
| Median | $61,300 | $29.47 |
| 75th percentile | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| Average (mean) | $64,320 | $30.92 |
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 | $5,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,554.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,357.69 |
| Weekly | $1,178.85 |
| Hourly | $29.47 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $77,670 | 100 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,190 | 60 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $66,170 | 180 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $62,890 | 400 |
| 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 Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,640 | $27.71 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,110 | $30.82 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $74,590 | $35.86 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,320 | $29.96 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,320 | $48.71 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,280 | $49.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Columbia, SC metro area is $61,300 a year, or $29.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $82,100 a year. The top 25% earn $77,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,120 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $50,780 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Columbia, SC?
About 30 mechanical drafters are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.