Mechanical Drafter salary in West Virginia
Mechanical Drafters in West Virginia earn a median of $65,100 a year ($31.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,540 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $71,550. West Virginia ranks 29th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay. There are 0.20 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $70,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| 25th percentile | $55,660 | $26.76 |
| Median | $65,100 | $31.30 |
| 75th percentile | $81,320 | $39.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| Average (mean) | $70,340 | $33.82 |
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 | $5,425 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,712.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,503.85 |
| Weekly | $1,251.92 |
| Hourly | $31.30 |
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 West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,600 | 190 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $60,760 | 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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,440 | $41.08 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,240 | $27.52 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Civil Engineer | $86,930 | $41.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $108,360 | $52.10 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,390 | $46.82 |
| Engineers, All Other | $118,800 | $57.11 |
| Surveyor | $61,520 | $29.58 |
| Electrical Engineer | $113,420 | $54.53 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in West Virginia is $65,100 a year, or $31.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in West Virginia earn at least $99,540 a year. The top 25% earn $81,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,270 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $55,660 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in West Virginia?
About 140 mechanical drafters are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.