Mechanical Drafter salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Mechanical Drafters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $94,470 a year ($45.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,690 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 23% higher than the Washington statewide median of $76,820. There are 0.49 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,670 | $28.69 |
| 25th percentile | $67,220 | $32.32 |
| Median | $94,470 | $45.42 |
| 75th percentile | $133,420 | $64.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,690 | $66.20 |
| Average (mean) | $98,470 | $47.34 |
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 | $7,872.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,936.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,633.46 |
| Weekly | $1,816.73 |
| Hourly | $45.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,510 | 410 |
| Bellingham, WA | $73,680 | 80 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $66,020 | 30 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $61,060 | 160 |
| Yakima, WA | $55,510 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $125,160 | $60.18 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $98,180 | $47.20 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,830 | $36.46 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $84,660 | $40.70 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,860 | $38.88 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $100,090 | $48.12 |
| Drafters, All Other | $72,990 | $35.09 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $107,220 | $51.55 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $105,070 | $50.52 |
| Civil Engineer | $116,480 | $56.00 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $94,470 a year, or $45.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $137,690 a year. The top 25% earn $133,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,670 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $67,220 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 1,020 mechanical drafters are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.