Mechanical Drafters Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $62,920 -8.2% vs national
Median hourly $30.25
10th percentile $35,090
90th percentile $92,350
Employed locally 40
National median $68,510

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Mechanical Drafters
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,090
    25th
    $51,950
    50th (median)
    $62,920
    75th
    $77,670
    90th
    $92,350

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Drafters salary vs area income 95% Median Mechanical Drafters salary is 5% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Drafters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $111,820
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $94,180
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $88,540
    Colorado Springs, CO $87,860
    Boulder, CO $86,500
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $86,230

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Drafters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $94,180
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $84,550
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $71,700
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $67,750
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $65,310
    Spartanburg, SC $64,830

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $96,070
    Industrial Engineers $93,720
    Mechanical Engineers $97,580
    Electrical Engineers $101,350
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $61,340
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $62,930

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Drafters make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in Columbia, SC is $30.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.47 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Mechanical Drafters salaries?

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in Columbia, SC is 8.2% below the national median of $68,510. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mechanical Drafters in Columbia?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $35,090 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,950.