Mechanical Drafter salary in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
Mechanical Drafters in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median of $69,990 a year ($33.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,460 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 1% higher than the Rhode Island statewide median of $69,290. There are 0.22 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| 25th percentile | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Median | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| 75th percentile | $86,130 | $41.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Average (mean) | $72,450 | $34.83 |
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 | $5,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,916.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,691.92 |
| Weekly | $1,345.96 |
| Hourly | $33.65 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,210 | 410 |
| Springfield, MA | $67,470 | 50 |
| Worcester, MA | $66,980 | 100 |
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 Rhode Island statewide figures.
Related jobs in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,240 | $39.54 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,780 | $34.03 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| Drafters, All Other | $75,090 | $36.10 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $111,360 | $53.54 |
| Industrial Engineer | $106,290 | $51.10 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,310 | $47.74 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $132,870 | $63.88 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $69,990 a year, or $33.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn at least $101,460 a year. The top 25% earn $86,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,080 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $59,440 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
About 160 mechanical drafters are employed in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.