Mechanical Drafter salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Mechanical Drafters in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $77,500 a year ($37.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,230 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 11% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $69,630. There are 0.21 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $74,650, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| 25th percentile | $56,440 | $27.13 |
| Median | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| 75th percentile | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,230 | $47.23 |
| Average (mean) | $74,650 | $35.89 |
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 | $6,458.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,229.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,980.77 |
| Weekly | $1,490.38 |
| Hourly | $37.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,600 | 190 |
| Richmond, VA | $69,630 | 100 |
| Roanoke, VA | $66,560 | 60 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $63,680 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $62,890 | 400 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,220 | 200 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $60,930 | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $59,660 | 140 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,760 | $27.77 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,030 | $29.82 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,820 | $30.20 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,340 | $32.38 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $65,130 | $31.31 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $76,180 | $36.63 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Drafters, All Other | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $57,860 | $27.82 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,280 | $48.21 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | $45.52 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $77,500 a year, or $37.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $98,230 a year. The top 25% earn $93,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,790 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $56,440 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 160 mechanical drafters are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.