Mechanical Drafters Salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Median annual salary $69,590 +1.6% vs national
Median hourly $33.46
10th percentile $44,320
90th percentile $95,270
Employed locally 160
National median $68,510

Compare Mechanical Drafters salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Virginia Beach, VA-NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Mechanical Drafters
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,320
    25th
    $47,020
    50th (median)
    $69,590
    75th
    $80,780
    90th
    $95,270

    Virginia Beach economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,533 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Drafters salary vs area income 86% Median Mechanical Drafters salary is 14% 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
    Richmond, VA $71,070
    Vallejo, CA $69,900

    Related occupations in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Mechanical Engineers$97,470
    Civil Engineers$94,060
    Marine Engineers and Naval Architects$100,630
    Electrical Engineers$106,070
    Engineers, All Other$129,310
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$94,830

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Drafters make per hour in Virginia Beach?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Drafters in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is $33.46, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.23 or more per hour.

    Is Virginia Beach above or below average for Mechanical Drafters salaries?

    The median Mechanical Drafters salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is 1.6% 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 Virginia Beach?

    Entry-level Mechanical Drafters (10th percentile) earn around $44,320 per year in Virginia Beach, VA-NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,020.