Mechanical Drafter salary in Erie, PA
Mechanical Drafters in the Erie, PA metro area earn a median of $57,970 a year ($27.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,280 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 9% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $63,480. There are 0.51 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Erie, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,900 | $21.11 |
| 25th percentile | $51,340 | $24.68 |
| Median | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| 75th percentile | $69,430 | $33.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Average (mean) | $60,910 | $29.28 |
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 | $4,830.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,415.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,229.62 |
| Weekly | $1,114.81 |
| Hourly | $27.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,970 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $65,170 | 140 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $62,730 | 140 |
| Lancaster, PA | $61,270 | 120 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,550 | 40 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,270 | 130 |
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 Erie, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $62,060 | $29.84 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,890 | $51.39 |
| Industrial Engineer | $86,430 | $41.55 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,260 | $52.53 |
| Civil Engineer | $79,370 | $38.16 |
| Engineers, All Other | $82,490 | $39.66 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| Surveyor | $53,650 | $25.79 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Erie, PA
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 Erie, PA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Erie, PA metro area is $57,970 a year, or $27.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Erie, PA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Erie, PA metro area earn at least $78,280 a year. The top 25% earn $69,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Erie, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,900 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $51,340 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Erie, PA?
About 60 mechanical drafters are employed in the Erie, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.