Mechanical Drafter salary in Tucson, AZ
Mechanical Drafters in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $62,140 a year ($29.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,800 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 8% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $67,410. There are 0.14 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $71,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| 25th percentile | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Median | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| 75th percentile | $81,450 | $39.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,800 | $60.48 |
| Average (mean) | $71,350 | $34.30 |
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 | $5,178.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,589.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,390 |
| Weekly | $1,195 |
| Hourly | $29.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $67,600 | 510 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,730 | $33.52 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $75,230 | $36.17 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $68,640 | $33.00 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,490 | $32.93 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,260 | $24.16 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $81,970 | $39.41 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $59,040 | $28.39 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $64,430 | $30.98 |
| Drafters, All Other | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $106,760 | $51.33 |
| Electrical Engineer | $117,470 | $56.48 |
| Industrial Engineer | $95,700 | $46.01 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $62,140 a year, or $29.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $125,800 a year. The top 25% earn $81,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,360 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $46,360 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Tucson, AZ?
About 50 mechanical drafters are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.