Mechanical Drafters Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
The median pay for a mechanical drafters in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $59,490/year ($28.6/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.46), which stretches that salary to about $65,045 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,390/month — about 33.6% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $59K get you in Chattanooga?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Chattanooga’s Regional Price Parity (91.46). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About mechanical drafters
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chattanooga, TN-GA
Entry-level mechanical drafters (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $55K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Drafters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $85K | +24% | 120 |
| Vermont | $82K | +19% | 60 |
| California | $80K | +17% | 3,360 |
| Arizona | $80K | +17% | 720 |
| Nevada | $80K | +16% | 240 |
| Oregon | $80K | +16% | 470 |
| New Jersey | $79K | +16% | 780 |
| Maryland | $77K | +13% | 390 |
| Texas | $77K | +12% | 3,460 |
| Rhode Island | $76K | +12% | 90 |
| Louisiana | $75K | +10% | 370 |
| Washington | $75K | +10% | 1,600 |
| Michigan | $74K | +9% | 1,720 |
| Kansas | $74K | +8% | 460 |
| Minnesota | $73K | +7% | 1,450 |
| Illinois | $73K | +6% | 710 |
| Massachusetts | $72K | +5% | 840 |
| New York | $69K | +1% | 2,030 |
| Utah | $69K | +0% | 610 |
| Connecticut | $67K | -2% | 470 |
| Missouri | $67K | -3% | 820 |
| South Carolina | $66K | -3% | N/A |
| Ohio | $66K | -3% | 2,130 |
| Oklahoma | $66K | -3% | 530 |
| Pennsylvania | $66K | -3% | 2,070 |
| North Dakota | $66K | -3% | 50 |
| Iowa | $65K | -5% | 590 |
| Kentucky | $65K | -5% | 510 |
| Georgia | $65K | -5% | 590 |
| Virginia | $65K | -5% | 540 |
| Tennessee | $64K | -6% | 1,250 |
| Idaho | $64K | -7% | 250 |
| Delaware | $64K | -7% | 150 |
| Florida | $62K | -9% | 1,970 |
| Indiana | $62K | -9% | 1,590 |
| North Carolina | $62K | -10% | 850 |
| Wisconsin | $62K | -10% | 2,010 |
| Arkansas | $61K | -12% | 420 |
| Maine | $60K | -12% | 370 |
| Mississippi | $59K | -14% | 240 |
| Montana | $58K | -16% | 40 |
| West Virginia | $57K | -17% | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $56K | -18% | N/A |
| Wyoming | $53K | -23% | 60 |
| Nebraska | $53K | -23% | 560 |
| South Dakota | $51K | -25% | 110 |
| Alabama | $50K | -28% | 590 |
Showing 1–10 of 47 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track mechanical drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chattanooga numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical drafters make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median is $59,490 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,120, and experienced mechanical drafters can clear $95,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Chattanooga?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,153/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,390/month, which eats 33.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a mechanical drafters salary go in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a Regional Price Parity of 91.46 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical drafters salary is worth about $65,045 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical drafters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.