Mechanical Drafter salary in Rhode Island
Mechanical Drafters in Rhode Island earn a median of $69,290 a year ($33.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,830 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $71,550. Rhode Island ranks 21st of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.20 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $70,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,070 | $20.23 |
| 25th percentile | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Median | $69,290 | $33.31 |
| 75th percentile | $80,780 | $38.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,830 | $46.55 |
| Average (mean) | $70,850 | $34.06 |
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 | $5,774.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,887.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,665 |
| Weekly | $1,332.50 |
| Hourly | $33.31 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $69,990 | 160 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $98,600 | $47.40 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $71,700 | $34.47 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $116,230 | $55.88 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,300 | $47.74 |
| Industrial Engineer | $109,350 | $52.57 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $136,360 | $65.56 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $119,510 | $57.46 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Rhode Island is $69,290 a year, or $33.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Rhode Island earn at least $96,830 a year. The top 25% earn $80,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,070 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $59,460 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Rhode Island?
About 100 mechanical drafters are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.