Mechanical Drafters Salary in Virginia
Mechanical Drafters in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $69,630 —2.7% below the national median of $71,550. That ranks VA #20 of 47 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.60× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Highest-paying states for mechanical drafters
All 47 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $89,940 | $43.24 | 90 | 0.40 |
| 2 | Colorado | $85,280 | $41.00 | 580 | 0.78 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $83,380 | $40.09 | 690 | 0.62 |
| 4 | California | $82,510 | $39.67 | 3,640 | 0.78 |
| 5 | Texas | $79,380 | $38.16 | 4,630 | 1.28 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $77,730 | $37.37 | 420 | 0.85 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $77,570 | $37.29 | 100 | 0.86 |
| 8 | Washington | $76,820 | $36.93 | 1,690 | 1.85 |
| 9 | Maryland | $76,740 | $36.89 | 360 | 0.51 |
| 10 | New York | $76,490 | $36.78 | 1,940 | 0.78 |
Related occupations in Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | $97,120 | $100,840 |
| Industrial Engineers | $102,550 | $102,440 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $104,180 | $104,110 |
| Electrical Engineers | $119,030 | $120,630 |
| Engineers, All Other | $148,160 | $122,930 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,680 | $99,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical drafters make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for mechanical drafters in Virginia is $69,630, or $33.48 per hour. That is 2.7% below the national median of $71,550.
What is the entry-level mechanical drafters salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $47,840 per year ($23.00/hour). The 25th percentile is $60,010.
How many people work as mechanical drafters in Virginia?
About 630 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 0.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for mechanical drafters?
Virginia ranks #20 of 47 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.60x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Which state pays mechanical drafters the most?
New Mexico has the highest median wage at $89,940 per year, followed by Colorado ($85,280) and New Jersey ($83,380).