Mechanical Drafter salary in Pennsylvania
Mechanical Drafters in Pennsylvania earn a median of $63,480 a year ($30.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,130 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pennsylvania ranks 32nd of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.39 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| 25th percentile | $53,500 | $25.72 |
| Median | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| 75th percentile | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,130 | $45.74 |
| Average (mean) | $70,250 | $33.77 |
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 | $5,290 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,645 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,441.54 |
| Weekly | $1,220.77 |
| Hourly | $30.52 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,100 | 730 |
| Reading, PA | $69,840 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $69,550 | 540 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $68,960 | 80 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $65,170 | 140 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $62,730 | 140 |
| Lancaster, PA | $61,270 | 120 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,550 | 40 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,270 | 130 |
| Erie, PA | $57,970 | 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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,070 | $36.57 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $70,820 | $34.05 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $68,930 | $33.14 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $58,270 | $28.02 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Drafters, All Other | $54,240 | $26.08 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,850 | $47.04 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Pennsylvania is $63,480 a year, or $30.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Pennsylvania earn at least $95,130 a year. The top 25% earn $78,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,700 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $53,500 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Pennsylvania?
About 2,330 mechanical drafters are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.