Mechanical Drafter salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Mechanical Drafters in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $62,420 a year ($30.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,630 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $63,390. There are 0.16 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $68,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,290 | $24.18 |
| 25th percentile | $53,130 | $25.54 |
| Median | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| 75th percentile | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,630 | $44.53 |
| Average (mean) | $68,020 | $32.70 |
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 | $5,201.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,600.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,400.77 |
| Weekly | $1,200.38 |
| Hourly | $30.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $64,730 | 170 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $64,510 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $63,400 | 40 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,330 | 110 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $53,970 | $25.95 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,010 | $36.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,380 | $32.40 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,020 | $27.89 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $58,380 | $28.07 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,880 | $34.08 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,760 | $31.61 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $75,080 | $36.10 |
| Drafters, All Other | $67,770 | $32.58 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,650 | $47.43 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,540 | $49.30 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $62,420 a year, or $30.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $92,630 a year. The top 25% earn $78,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,290 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $53,130 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 180 mechanical drafters are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.