Mechanical Drafter salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Mechanical Drafters in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $80,970 a year ($38.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,670 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 3% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $83,380. There are 0.22 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| 25th percentile | $73,050 | $35.12 |
| Median | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| 75th percentile | $103,540 | $49.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,670 | $50.32 |
| Average (mean) | $85,640 | $41.17 |
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 | $6,747.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,373.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,114.23 |
| Weekly | $1,557.12 |
| Hourly | $38.93 |
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 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,100 | 730 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $65,170 | 140 |
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 Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,710 | $38.80 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,030 | $36.07 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $84,140 | $40.45 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $58,380 | $28.07 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,850 | $27.81 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| Environmental Engineer | $92,150 | $44.30 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,920 | $48.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $109,140 | $52.47 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,470 | $48.78 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,990 | $53.36 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $80,970 a year, or $38.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $104,670 a year. The top 25% earn $103,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,010 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $73,050 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 50 mechanical drafters are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.