Mechanical Drafters Salary
The median pay for a mechanical drafters in Colorado is $85,280/year ($41/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $128K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $85K get you in Colorado?
About mechanical drafters
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level mechanical drafters (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $128K or more, a $70K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Drafters salary by metro in Colorado
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $103K | +20% | 60 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $90K | +6% | 380 |
| Colorado Springs | $88K | +3% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical drafter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $85K, rent takes 38% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical drafters in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical drafters typically earn — is $58K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,462/month.
Is mechanical drafter a high-paying job in Colorado?
Local pay is 19% above the national median — $85K here vs. $72K nationally.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for mechanical drafters?
Colorado pays $85K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +19%.
How much do mechanical drafters make in Colorado?
The median is $85,280 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,700, and experienced mechanical drafters can clear $127,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,386/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 38% 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 Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical drafters salary is worth about $85,280 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.