Mechanical Drafter salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Mechanical Drafters in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $78,210 a year ($37.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,720 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 4% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $75,490. There are 0.15 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $81,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $62,060 | $29.84 |
| Median | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| 75th percentile | $98,040 | $47.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,720 | $56.12 |
| Average (mean) | $81,460 | $39.16 |
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 | $6,517.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,258.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,008.08 |
| Weekly | $1,504.04 |
| Hourly | $37.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $69,990 | 160 |
| Springfield, MA | $67,470 | 50 |
| Worcester, MA | $66,980 | 100 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $61,670 | 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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,190 | $37.59 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,390 | $30.00 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $73,630 | $35.40 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,430 | $33.38 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $86,140 | $41.41 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,720 | $30.64 |
| Drafters, All Other | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| Industrial Engineer | $118,970 | $57.20 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $78,210 a year, or $37.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $116,720 a year. The top 25% earn $98,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,000 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $62,060 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 410 mechanical drafters are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.