Mechanical Drafter salary in Salem, OR
Mechanical Drafters in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $61,850 a year ($29.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,720 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 16% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $74,000. There are 0.17 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $68,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,070 | $25.04 |
| 25th percentile | $55,750 | $26.80 |
| Median | $61,850 | $29.74 |
| 75th percentile | $81,320 | $39.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,720 | $44.58 |
| Average (mean) | $68,750 | $33.05 |
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 | $5,154.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,577.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,378.85 |
| Weekly | $1,189.42 |
| Hourly | $29.74 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,510 | 410 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $58,090 | 30 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,200 | $41.44 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Drafters, All Other | $58,800 | $28.27 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $74,780 | $35.95 |
| Civil Engineer | $115,480 | $55.52 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,270 | $60.23 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $114,550 | $55.07 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,860 | $48.49 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,420 | $50.20 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $82,030 | $39.44 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $101,350 | $48.73 |
| Surveyor | $102,880 | $49.46 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Salem, OR metro area is $61,850 a year, or $29.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $92,720 a year. The top 25% earn $81,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,070 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $55,750 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Salem, OR?
About 30 mechanical drafters are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.