Mechanical Drafter salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Mechanical Drafters in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $78,350 a year ($37.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,930 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 2% higher than the Maryland statewide median of $76,740. 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 $79,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,890 | $24.95 |
| 25th percentile | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Median | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| 75th percentile | $99,820 | $47.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,930 | $57.66 |
| Average (mean) | $79,700 | $38.32 |
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 | $6,529.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,264.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,013.46 |
| Weekly | $1,506.73 |
| Hourly | $37.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,600 | 190 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,100 | 730 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $94,330 | $45.35 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $107,140 | $51.51 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,570 | $31.53 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,310 | $38.61 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,200 | $31.83 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $63,510 | $30.54 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $83,260 | $40.03 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $59,730 | $28.72 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $75,330 | $36.22 |
| Drafters, All Other | $57,940 | $27.86 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $72,930 | $35.06 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $116,700 | $56.11 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $78,350 a year, or $37.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $119,930 a year. The top 25% earn $99,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,890 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $59,300 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 210 mechanical drafters are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.