Mechanical Drafter salary in Maryland
Mechanical Drafters in Maryland earn a median of $76,740 a year ($36.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,090 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $71,550. Maryland ranks 9th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.13 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $81,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,890 | $24.95 |
| 25th percentile | $59,620 | $28.67 |
| Median | $76,740 | $36.89 |
| 75th percentile | $100,090 | $48.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,090 | $59.18 |
| Average (mean) | $81,200 | $39.04 |
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 | $6,395 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,197.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,951.54 |
| Weekly | $1,475.77 |
| Hourly | $36.89 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $78,350 | 210 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,600 | 190 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,100 | 730 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $95,830 | $46.07 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,180 | $36.14 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,180 | $38.07 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,090 | $38.03 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $61,600 | $29.62 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $75,680 | $36.38 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,510 | $32.46 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $91,820 | $44.14 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Drafters, All Other | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $75,330 | $36.22 |
| Engineers, All Other | $129,770 | $62.39 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Maryland is $76,740 a year, or $36.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Maryland?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Maryland earn at least $123,090 a year. The top 25% earn $100,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,890 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $59,620 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Maryland?
About 360 mechanical drafters are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.