Mechanical Drafter salary in Ohio
Mechanical Drafters in Ohio earn a median of $70,580 a year ($33.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,740 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $71,550. Ohio ranks 18th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.32 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| 25th percentile | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| Median | $70,580 | $33.93 |
| 75th percentile | $80,360 | $38.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Average (mean) | $71,460 | $34.36 |
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 | $5,881.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,940.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,714.62 |
| Weekly | $1,357.31 |
| Hourly | $33.93 |
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 Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $77,250 | 300 |
| Columbus, OH | $76,480 | 350 |
| Cleveland, OH | $64,770 | 210 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $63,750 | 60 |
| Toledo, OH | $63,720 | 90 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $63,580 | 100 |
| Akron, OH | $63,030 | 100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $60,760 | 40 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $55,160 | 60 |
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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,490 | $31.49 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,300 | $30.44 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $77,590 | $37.30 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $51,830 | $24.92 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $80,840 | $38.87 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $73,050 | $35.12 |
| Drafters, All Other | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,060 | $48.10 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
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 Ohio?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Ohio is $70,580 a year, or $33.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Ohio?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Ohio earn at least $98,740 a year. The top 25% earn $80,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,400 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $57,720 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Ohio?
About 1,790 mechanical drafters are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.