Mechanical Drafter salary in Reading, PA
Mechanical Drafters in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $69,840 a year ($33.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,240 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 10% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $63,480. There are 0.34 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,980 | $24.51 |
| 25th percentile | $57,850 | $27.81 |
| Median | $69,840 | $33.58 |
| 75th percentile | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,240 | $40.50 |
| Average (mean) | $69,870 | $33.59 |
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 | $5,820 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,910 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,686.15 |
| Weekly | $1,343.08 |
| Hourly | $33.58 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,730 | $36.89 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,970 | $29.80 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,400 | $32.41 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,540 | $47.38 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,890 | $47.54 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,500 | $49.28 |
| Surveyor | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,330 | $46.79 |
| Chemical Engineer | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| Materials Engineer | $99,040 | $47.61 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Reading, 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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Reading, PA metro area is $69,840 a year, or $33.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $84,240 a year. The top 25% earn $80,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,980 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $57,850 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Reading, PA?
About 60 mechanical drafters are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.