Mechanical Drafter salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Mechanical Drafters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $61,220 a year ($29.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,080 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 4% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $59,050. There are 0.26 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| 25th percentile | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Median | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| 75th percentile | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Average (mean) | $64,720 | $31.12 |
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 | $5,101.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,550.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,354.62 |
| Weekly | $1,177.31 |
| Hourly | $29.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $77,500 | 160 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $63,680 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $62,890 | 400 |
| 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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $65,840 | $31.65 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,640 | $34.93 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,560 | $39.21 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $81,960 | $39.40 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,840 | $31.17 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Drafters, All Other | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,440 | $48.77 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,030 | $50.01 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,240 | $62.62 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $61,220 a year, or $29.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $84,080 a year. The top 25% earn $72,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,320 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $52,000 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 200 mechanical drafters are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.