Mechanical Drafter salary in Virginia
Mechanical Drafters in Virginia earn a median of $69,630 a year ($33.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,800 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $71,550. Virginia ranks 20th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.15 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $71,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| 25th percentile | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Median | $69,630 | $33.48 |
| 75th percentile | $83,380 | $40.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,800 | $45.58 |
| Average (mean) | $71,730 | $34.49 |
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 | $5,802.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,901.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,678.08 |
| Weekly | $1,339.04 |
| Hourly | $33.48 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $77,500 | 160 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,600 | 190 |
| Richmond, VA | $69,630 | 100 |
| Roanoke, VA | $66,560 | 60 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $60,930 | 50 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,540 | $38.24 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $98,410 | $47.31 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,450 | $30.51 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $56,760 | $27.29 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,310 | $31.88 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,650 | $36.37 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $72,730 | $34.97 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Drafters, All Other | $67,220 | $32.32 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $52,330 | $25.16 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,120 | $46.69 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Virginia is $69,630 a year, or $33.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Virginia?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Virginia earn at least $94,800 a year. The top 25% earn $83,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,840 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $60,010 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Virginia?
About 630 mechanical drafters are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.