Mechanical Drafter salary in Wilmington, NC
Mechanical Drafters in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $50,150 a year ($24.11 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $42,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,110 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 15% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $59,050. The average (mean) salary is $59,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| 25th percentile | $46,830 | $22.51 |
| Median | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| 75th percentile | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,110 | $49.09 |
| Average (mean) | $59,420 | $28.57 |
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 | $4,179.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,089.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,928.85 |
| Weekly | $964.42 |
| Hourly | $24.11 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $77,500 | 160 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $63,680 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $62,890 | 400 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,220 | 200 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $59,660 | 140 |
| Asheville, NC | $59,270 | 80 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $58,560 | 70 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,570 | 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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,130 | $50.54 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,100 | $48.61 |
| Surveyor | $72,160 | $34.69 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $129,710 | $62.36 |
| Landscape Architect | $87,440 | $42.04 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $50,150 a year, or $24.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $102,110 a year. The top 25% earn $65,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,310 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $46,830 or less.