Mechanical Drafter salary in North Carolina
Mechanical Drafters in North Carolina earn a median of $59,050 a year ($28.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,560 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $71,550. North Carolina ranks 43rd of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.27 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| 25th percentile | $49,450 | $23.78 |
| Median | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| 75th percentile | $71,340 | $34.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,560 | $40.65 |
| Average (mean) | $62,030 | $29.82 |
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 | $4,920.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,460.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,271.15 |
| Weekly | $1,135.58 |
| Hourly | $28.39 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $77,500 | 160 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $63,680 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $62,890 | 400 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,220 | 200 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $59,660 | 140 |
| Asheville, NC | $59,270 | 80 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $58,560 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $50,150 | n/a |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,570 | 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,040 | $36.56 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,720 | $33.52 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $72,070 | $34.65 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $81,960 | $39.40 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Drafters, All Other | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,660 | $25.80 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,310 | $47.74 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in North Carolina is $59,050 a year, or $28.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in North Carolina earn at least $84,560 a year. The top 25% earn $71,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,490 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $49,450 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in North Carolina?
About 1,350 mechanical drafters are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.