Mechanical Drafter salary in Rochester, NY
Mechanical Drafters in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $69,750 a year ($33.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,980 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 9% lower than the New York statewide median of $76,490. There are 0.44 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,430, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| 25th percentile | $59,560 | $28.63 |
| Median | $69,750 | $33.53 |
| 75th percentile | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,980 | $43.74 |
| Average (mean) | $69,430 | $33.38 |
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 | $5,812.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,906.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,682.69 |
| Weekly | $1,341.35 |
| Hourly | $33.53 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,070 | 1,180 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $76,490 | 90 |
| Syracuse, NY | $75,510 | 130 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $72,500 | 160 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $71,920 | 200 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $62,910 | 40 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $60,130 | 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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,280 | $37.16 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $60,410 | $29.04 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,210 | $33.27 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Drafters, All Other | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $55,300 | $26.59 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,150 | $48.15 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,160 | $48.15 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Rochester, NY metro area is $69,750 a year, or $33.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $90,980 a year. The top 25% earn $78,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,890 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $59,560 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Rochester, NY?
About 220 mechanical drafters are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.