Mechanical Drafter salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Mechanical Drafters in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $71,920 a year ($34.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,210 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 6% lower than the New York statewide median of $76,490. There are 0.37 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| 25th percentile | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| Median | $71,920 | $34.58 |
| 75th percentile | $82,440 | $39.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,210 | $47.22 |
| Average (mean) | $72,360 | $34.79 |
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 | $5,993.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,996.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,766.15 |
| Weekly | $1,383.08 |
| Hourly | $34.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $76,490 | 90 |
| Syracuse, NY | $75,510 | 130 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $72,500 | 160 |
| Rochester, NY | $69,750 | 220 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $62,910 | 40 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $60,130 | 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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,100 | $37.55 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,000 | $32.69 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $65,560 | $31.52 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,450 | $30.51 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $53,980 | $25.95 |
| Drafters, All Other | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,260 | $48.68 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,060 | $46.66 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,200 | $46.73 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,180 | $47.20 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $71,920 a year, or $34.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $98,210 a year. The top 25% earn $82,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,860 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $59,080 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 200 mechanical drafters are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.