Mechanical Drafter salary in Texas
Mechanical Drafters in Texas earn a median of $79,380 a year ($38.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,080 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $71,550. Texas ranks 5th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.33 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Median | $79,380 | $38.16 |
| 75th percentile | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,080 | $51.00 |
| Average (mean) | $80,450 | $38.68 |
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 | $6,615 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,307.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,053.08 |
| Weekly | $1,526.54 |
| Hourly | $38.16 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $87,220 | 120 |
| Midland, TX | $86,100 | 40 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $83,200 | 1,620 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $78,820 | 1,300 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $78,110 | 190 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $77,160 | 310 |
| Longview, TX | $71,790 | 60 |
| Amarillo, TX | $58,580 | 40 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $47,400 | 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 |
Related jobs in Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,050 | $35.60 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,680 | $22.93 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $73,860 | $35.51 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $74,100 | $35.62 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,390 | $28.55 |
| Drafters, All Other | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,610 | $36.83 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $54,460 | $26.18 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,150 | $27.48 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,860 | $46.57 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Texas is $79,380 a year, or $38.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Texas?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Texas earn at least $106,080 a year. The top 25% earn $93,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,000 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $61,710 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Texas?
About 4,630 mechanical drafters are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.