Mechanical Drafter salary in Roanoke, VA
Mechanical Drafters in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $66,560 a year ($32.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,390 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 4% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $69,630. There are 0.41 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,560 | $24.31 |
| 25th percentile | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Median | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| 75th percentile | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,390 | $42.98 |
| Average (mean) | $69,830 | $33.57 |
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 | $5,546.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,773.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,560 |
| Weekly | $1,280 |
| Hourly | $32.00 |
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 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,600 | 190 |
| Richmond, VA | $69,630 | 100 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $60,930 | 50 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,080 | $29.37 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,850 | $23.01 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,510 | $28.13 |
| Industrial Engineer | $93,520 | $44.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,160 | $49.12 |
| Electrical Engineer | $108,930 | $52.37 |
| Civil Engineer | $90,720 | $43.61 |
| Engineers, All Other | $95,370 | $45.85 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $82,530 | $39.68 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $104,150 | $50.07 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, VA
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 Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $66,560 a year, or $32.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $89,390 a year. The top 25% earn $78,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,560 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $61,280 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Roanoke, VA?
About 60 mechanical drafters are employed in the Roanoke, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.