Mechanical Drafter salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Mechanical Drafters in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $90,160 a year ($43.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,880 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 6% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $85,280. There are 0.24 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| 25th percentile | $71,080 | $34.17 |
| Median | $90,160 | $43.35 |
| 75th percentile | $124,030 | $59.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,880 | $61.48 |
| Average (mean) | $94,930 | $45.64 |
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 | $7,513.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,756.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,467.69 |
| Weekly | $1,733.85 |
| Hourly | $43.35 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $102,710 | 60 |
| 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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $79,860 | $38.40 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,080 | $37.54 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,530 | $38.24 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $123,350 | $59.30 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,910 | $37.94 |
| Drafters, All Other | $67,320 | $32.36 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $58,180 | $27.97 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Civil Engineer | $104,710 | $50.34 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $128,180 | $61.62 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $90,160 a year, or $43.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $127,880 a year. The top 25% earn $124,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,840 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $71,080 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 380 mechanical drafters are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.