Mechanical Drafter salary in Columbus, OH
Mechanical Drafters in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $76,480 a year ($36.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,910 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 8% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $70,580. There are 0.32 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,130, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,350 | $24.69 |
| 25th percentile | $57,830 | $27.80 |
| Median | $76,480 | $36.77 |
| 75th percentile | $82,520 | $39.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,910 | $45.63 |
| Average (mean) | $73,130 | $35.16 |
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 | $6,373.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,186.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,941.54 |
| Weekly | $1,470.77 |
| Hourly | $36.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $77,250 | 300 |
| Cleveland, OH | $64,770 | 210 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $63,750 | 60 |
| Toledo, OH | $63,720 | 90 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $63,580 | 100 |
| Akron, OH | $63,030 | 100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $60,760 | 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 Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,310 | $29.48 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,530 | $36.79 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,700 | $34.95 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $79,950 | $38.44 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $83,700 | $40.24 |
| Drafters, All Other | $55,630 | $26.75 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $64,260 | $30.90 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,570 | $48.35 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | $47.60 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Columbus, OH metro area is $76,480 a year, or $36.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $94,910 a year. The top 25% earn $82,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,350 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $57,830 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Columbus, OH?
About 350 mechanical drafters are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.