Mechanical Drafters
SOC 17-3013 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Mechanical Drafters is $64,060, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $69,920, and an estimated 44,850 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +9.9% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -6.6% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will shrink 6.5% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Mechanical Drafters has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $64,060 | $64,060 | 44,850 |
| 2022 | $61,310 | $63,834 | 47,540 |
| 2021 | $60,200 | $67,694 | 47,760 |
| 2020 | $58,270 | $68,602 | 51,620 |
Nominal change
+9.9%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-6.6%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
-6.5%
Declining
Employment 2024
42,900
Projected 2034
40,100
Annual Openings
3,300
Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Mechanical Drafters earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $64,060. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $90,440 | +41.2% | 30 |
| California | $78,610 | +22.7% | 4,170 |
| New Mexico | $78,140 | +22% | 120 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $75,930 | +18.5% | 60 |
| Arizona | $75,820 | +18.4% | 970 |
| Oregon | $75,820 | +18.4% | 470 |
| Washington | $75,220 | +17.4% | 1,920 |
| Colorado | $74,000 | +15.5% | 600 |
| New Jersey | $73,620 | +14.9% | 880 |
| Connecticut | $71,490 | +11.6% | 540 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$43,420
25th Pct
$52,000
Median
$64,060
75th Pct
$81,380
90th Pct
$102,110
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCL AMERICA INC | TX | 2 | $62,772 |
| HCL AMERICA INC | CA | 1 | $85,508 |
| GEOMETRIC AMERICAS, INC. | IL | 1 | $79,050 |
| TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED | OH | 1 | $90,400 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
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