Mechanical Drafter salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Mechanical Drafters in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median of $62,890 a year ($30.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,570 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 7% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $59,050. There are 0.29 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| 25th percentile | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| Median | $62,890 | $30.24 |
| 75th percentile | $75,380 | $36.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,570 | $42.58 |
| Average (mean) | $65,860 | $31.66 |
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 | $5,240.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,620.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,418.85 |
| Weekly | $1,209.42 |
| Hourly | $30.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $77,670 | 100 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $77,500 | 160 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,190 | 60 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $66,170 | 180 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $63,680 | 50 |
| Columbia, SC | $61,300 | 30 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,220 | 200 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $59,660 | 140 |
| Florence, SC | $59,320 | 60 |
| Asheville, NC | $59,270 | 80 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $58,560 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $50,150 | n/a |
| 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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $58,480 | $28.12 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,940 | $30.74 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,620 | $34.91 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $64,470 | $31.00 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Drafters, All Other | $61,800 | $29.71 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $78,900 | $37.94 |
| Civil Engineer | $102,370 | $49.22 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,950 | $49.02 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $62,890 a year, or $30.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn at least $88,570 a year. The top 25% earn $75,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,590 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $52,880 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
About 400 mechanical drafters are employed in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.