Mechanical Drafter salary in Washington
Mechanical Drafters in Washington earn a median of $76,820 a year ($36.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,690 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $71,550. Washington ranks 8th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.47 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,500 | $25.72 |
| 25th percentile | $61,560 | $29.60 |
| Median | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| 75th percentile | $109,480 | $52.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,690 | $66.20 |
| Average (mean) | $87,150 | $41.90 |
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 | $6,401.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,200.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,954.62 |
| Weekly | $1,477.31 |
| Hourly | $36.93 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $94,470 | 1,020 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $93,930 | $45.16 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $73,000 | $35.10 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $125,160 | $60.18 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Drafters, All Other | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $72,250 | $34.74 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $93,880 | $45.13 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| Civil Engineer | $110,000 | $52.89 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in Washington is $76,820 a year, or $36.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Washington?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in Washington earn at least $137,690 a year. The top 25% earn $109,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,500 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $61,560 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Washington?
About 1,690 mechanical drafters are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.