Mechanical Drafter salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Mechanical Drafters in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $69,550 a year ($33.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,290 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 10% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $63,480. There are 0.48 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| 25th percentile | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| Median | $69,550 | $33.44 |
| 75th percentile | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,290 | $43.41 |
| Average (mean) | $71,310 | $34.28 |
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 | $5,795.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,897.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,675 |
| Weekly | $1,337.50 |
| Hourly | $33.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,100 | 730 |
| Reading, PA | $69,840 | 60 |
| 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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $68,160 | $32.77 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,160 | $34.69 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $63,690 | $30.62 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,180 | $34.70 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $57,570 | $27.68 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,680 | $48.40 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,190 | $47.21 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $69,550 a year, or $33.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $90,290 a year. The top 25% earn $80,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,490 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $58,770 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 540 mechanical drafters are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.