Mechanical Drafter salary in New Jersey
Mechanical Drafters in New Jersey earn a median of $83,380 a year ($40.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 690 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,250 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $71,550. New Jersey ranks 3rd of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.16 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $86,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| 25th percentile | $72,030 | $34.63 |
| Median | $83,380 | $40.09 |
| 75th percentile | $99,340 | $47.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,250 | $58.30 |
| Average (mean) | $86,540 | $41.61 |
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 | $6,948.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,474.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,206.92 |
| Weekly | $1,603.46 |
| Hourly | $40.09 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,070 | 1,180 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $80,970 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,100 | 730 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $65,170 | 140 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,890 | $35.04 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $87,450 | $42.04 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,650 | $33.97 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $77,040 | $37.04 |
| Drafters, All Other | $77,840 | $37.42 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,180 | $31.34 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $77,600 | $37.31 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $60,040 | $28.87 |
| Civil Engineer | $104,660 | $50.32 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,840 | $49.93 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in New Jersey is $83,380 a year, or $40.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in New Jersey earn at least $121,250 a year. The top 25% earn $99,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,890 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $72,030 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in New Jersey?
About 690 mechanical drafters are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.