Mechanical Drafter salary in Lancaster, PA
Mechanical Drafters in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median of $61,270 a year ($29.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,820 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $63,480. There are 0.47 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Lancaster, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| 25th percentile | $54,150 | $26.04 |
| Median | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| 75th percentile | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,820 | $41.74 |
| Average (mean) | $66,810 | $32.12 |
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 | $5,105.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,552.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,356.54 |
| Weekly | $1,178.27 |
| Hourly | $29.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,100 | 730 |
| Reading, PA | $69,840 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $69,550 | 540 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $68,960 | 80 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $65,170 | 140 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $62,730 | 140 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,550 | 40 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,270 | 130 |
| Erie, PA | $57,970 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,840 | $30.69 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $68,930 | $33.14 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $72,040 | $34.64 |
| Drafters, All Other | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Industrial Engineer | $97,770 | $47.00 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $83,710 | $40.25 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,210 | $50.58 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $91,340 | $43.91 |
| Engineers, All Other | $96,500 | $46.40 |
| Surveyor | $76,880 | $36.96 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lancaster, PA
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 Lancaster, PA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $61,270 a year, or $29.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Lancaster, PA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn at least $86,820 a year. The top 25% earn $78,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Lancaster, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,980 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $54,150 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Lancaster, PA?
About 120 mechanical drafters are employed in the Lancaster, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.