Mechanical Drafter Salary in Ohio (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Mechanical Drafters in Ohio, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$70,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $71,550
State Rank
#18 of 47
1,790 employed here

How much does a Mechanical Drafter make in Ohio?

Mechanical Drafters in Ohio take home a median of $70,580 annually — roughly $33.93 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $71,550.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $49,400 while the top 10% make $98,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,720 and $80,360 a year.

Mechanical Drafter salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,400$23.75
25th percentile (early career)$57,720$27.75
50th percentile (median)$70,580$33.93
75th percentile (experienced)$80,360$38.63
90th percentile (top earners)$98,740$47.47

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 18th out of 47 states and territories for Mechanical Drafter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Mexico$89,940
2Colorado$85,280
3New Jersey$83,380
4California$82,510
5Texas$79,380

Working as a Mechanical Drafter in Ohio

Nationally, about 40,000 people work as Mechanical Drafters in the United States. An associate degree (about 2 years of college) is the typical entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Ohio pay ($70,580) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Mechanical Drafter make in Ohio?
The median Mechanical Drafter salary in Ohio is $70,580 per year, or about $33.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,400 at the entry level to $98,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Mechanical Drafters about 1% less than the national median of $71,550. Ohio ranks 18th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Mechanical Drafters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $70,580 a year. About 1,790 Mechanical Drafters are employed in Ohio. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Mechanical Drafter salary report

Related salaries

Drafter, All Other

$63,520
median pay · 14,000 employed

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$74,510
median pay · 36,000 employed

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

$76,870
median pay · 18,000 employed

Architectural and Civil Drafters

$66,150
median pay · 104,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.