Mechanical Drafter salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Mechanical Drafters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $76,600 a year ($36.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,600 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 10% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $69,630. There are 0.06 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.24). The average (mean) salary is $84,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| 25th percentile | $68,960 | $33.15 |
| Median | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| 75th percentile | $100,090 | $48.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,600 | $61.83 |
| Average (mean) | $84,320 | $40.54 |
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 | $6,383.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,191.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,946.15 |
| Weekly | $1,473.08 |
| Hourly | $36.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $78,350 | 210 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $77,500 | 160 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,100 | 730 |
| Richmond, VA | $69,630 | 100 |
| Roanoke, VA | $66,560 | 60 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $60,930 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $60,760 | 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,330 | $38.14 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,480 | $37.25 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,440 | $34.83 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $81,230 | $39.05 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $85,320 | $41.02 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Drafters, All Other | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $71,570 | $34.41 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $54,390 | $26.15 |
| Engineers, All Other | $151,340 | $72.76 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $76,600 a year, or $36.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $128,600 a year. The top 25% earn $100,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,530 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $68,960 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 190 mechanical drafters are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.