Mechanical Drafter salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Mechanical Drafters in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn a median of $65,170 a year ($31.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,080 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 3% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $63,480. There are 0.36 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| 25th percentile | $57,150 | $27.48 |
| Median | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| 75th percentile | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Average (mean) | $71,550 | $34.40 |
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 | $5,430.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,715.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,506.54 |
| Weekly | $1,253.27 |
| Hourly | $31.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,070 | 1,180 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $80,970 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,100 | 730 |
| Reading, PA | $69,840 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $69,550 | 540 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $68,960 | 80 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $62,730 | 140 |
| Lancaster, PA | $61,270 | 120 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,550 | 40 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,270 | 130 |
| Erie, PA | $57,970 | 60 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $68,120 | $32.75 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,470 | $31.00 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,760 | $32.58 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,720 | $32.56 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $83,520 | $40.15 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,480 | $29.08 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,390 | $49.71 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,760 | $47.48 |
| Electrical Engineer | $111,500 | $53.61 |
| Engineers, All Other | $124,550 | $59.88 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $172,210 | $82.79 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area is $65,170 a year, or $31.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn at least $95,080 a year. The top 25% earn $79,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,630 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $57,150 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
About 140 mechanical drafters are employed in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.