Mechanical Drafters Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $62,240 -9.2% vs national
Median hourly $29.92
10th percentile $49,410
90th percentile $86,280
Employed locally 110
National median $68,510

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Mechanical Drafters
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Raleigh, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,410
    25th
    $54,670
    50th (median)
    $62,240
    75th
    $76,060
    90th
    $86,280

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Drafters salary vs area income 65% Median Mechanical Drafters salary is 35% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $81,160
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $78,330
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $72,580
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $70,800
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $69,590

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$98,030
    Industrial Engineers$101,880
    Electrical Engineers$130,900
    Surveying and Mapping Technicians$49,530
    Mechanical Engineers$102,750
    Architectural and Civil Drafters$66,410

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Drafters make per hour in Raleigh?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in Raleigh, NC is $29.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.42 or more per hour.

    Is Raleigh above or below average for Mechanical Drafters salaries?

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in Raleigh, NC is 9.2% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $49,410 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $54,670.