Mechanical Drafter salary in Kentucky
Mechanical Drafters in Kentucky earn a median of $68,880 a year ($33.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,020 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $71,550. Kentucky ranks 22nd of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.26 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| 25th percentile | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Median | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| 75th percentile | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,020 | $46.16 |
| Average (mean) | $70,230 | $33.77 |
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 | $5,740 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,870 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,649.23 |
| Weekly | $1,324.62 |
| Hourly | $33.12 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $77,250 | 300 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $73,030 | 230 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $71,520 | 100 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $67,660 | 50 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $63,400 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $60,760 | 40 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,140 | $29.40 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $46,050 | $22.14 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $60,120 | $28.91 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $65,660 | $31.57 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $55,650 | $26.75 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,050 | $38.01 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Drafters, All Other | $57,930 | $27.85 |
| Industrial Engineer | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,050 | $48.58 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Kentucky is $68,880 a year, or $33.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Kentucky earn at least $96,020 a year. The top 25% earn $74,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,530 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $61,990 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Kentucky?
About 510 mechanical drafters are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.