Mechanical Drafter salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Mechanical Drafters in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $68,960 a year ($33.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,780 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 9% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $63,480. There are 0.25 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,490 | $24.27 |
| 25th percentile | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Median | $68,960 | $33.15 |
| 75th percentile | $80,870 | $38.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Average (mean) | $73,540 | $35.36 |
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 | $5,746.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,873.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,652.31 |
| Weekly | $1,326.15 |
| Hourly | $33.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,960 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 |
| 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 |
| Erie, PA | $57,970 | 60 |
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $59,480 | $28.60 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $76,610 | $36.83 |
| Civil Engineer | $93,830 | $45.11 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,380 | $47.30 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $95,000 | $45.67 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,740 | $49.87 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,940 | $39.40 |
| Environmental Engineer | $91,770 | $44.12 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, 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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $68,960 a year, or $33.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $98,780 a year. The top 25% earn $80,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,490 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $58,900 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 80 mechanical drafters are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.