Mechanical Drafter salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Mechanical Drafters in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $79,130 a year ($38.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,520 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $77,730. There are 0.18 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $84,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,360 | $24.69 |
| 25th percentile | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| Median | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| 75th percentile | $100,220 | $48.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,520 | $63.23 |
| Average (mean) | $84,980 | $40.86 |
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 | $6,594.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,297.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,043.46 |
| Weekly | $1,521.73 |
| Hourly | $38.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $77,720 | 140 |
| Lafayette, LA | $61,240 | 50 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $62,430 | $30.01 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| Drafters, All Other | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| Civil Engineer | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $117,990 | $56.73 |
| Industrial Engineer | $127,340 | $61.22 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,950 | $47.09 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $148,390 | $71.34 |
| Surveyor | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,120 | $60.16 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $79,130 a year, or $38.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $131,520 a year. The top 25% earn $100,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,360 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $62,100 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 80 mechanical drafters are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.