Mechanical Drafter salary in New York
Mechanical Drafters in New York earn a median of $76,490 a year ($36.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,940 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,530 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $71,550. New York ranks 10th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.20 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $79,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,990 | $24.99 |
| 25th percentile | $62,640 | $30.12 |
| Median | $76,490 | $36.78 |
| 75th percentile | $92,610 | $44.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,530 | $52.66 |
| Average (mean) | $79,250 | $38.10 |
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 | $6,374.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,187.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,941.92 |
| Weekly | $1,470.96 |
| Hourly | $36.78 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,070 | 1,180 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $76,490 | 90 |
| Syracuse, NY | $75,510 | 130 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $72,500 | 160 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $71,920 | 200 |
| Rochester, NY | $69,750 | 220 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $62,910 | 40 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $60,130 | 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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,260 | $36.66 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,040 | $37.04 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,290 | $33.80 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $65,530 | $31.50 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $77,830 | $37.42 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Drafters, All Other | $72,190 | $34.71 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,540 | $30.07 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $68,010 | $32.70 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| Civil Engineer | $103,760 | $49.89 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in New York is $76,490 a year, or $36.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in New York?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in New York earn at least $109,530 a year. The top 25% earn $92,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,990 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $62,640 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in New York?
About 1,940 mechanical drafters are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.