Mechanical Drafters Salary in Richmond, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Richmond, VA

Median annual salary $71,070 +3.7% vs national
Median hourly $34.17
10th percentile $49,670
90th percentile $89,760
Employed locally 70
National median $68,510

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Mechanical Drafters
in
Richmond, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,670
    25th
    $59,000
    50th (median)
    $71,070
    75th
    $79,530
    90th
    $89,760

    Richmond economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,405 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Drafters salary vs area income 84% Median Mechanical Drafters salary is 16% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $111,820
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $81,160
    Nevada $79,710
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,740
    Vallejo, CA $69,900
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $69,590

    Related occupations in Richmond, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $88,920
    Industrial Engineers $100,720
    Electrical Engineers $110,500
    Mechanical Engineers $101,210
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $96,150
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $92,840

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Drafters make per hour in Richmond?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in Richmond, VA is $34.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.92 or more per hour.

    Is Richmond above or below average for Mechanical Drafters salaries?

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in Richmond, VA is 3.7% above 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 Richmond?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $49,670 per year in Richmond, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,000.