Mechanical Drafters Salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
The median pay for a mechanical drafters in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is $84,640/year ($40.69/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $164K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.63), that's roughly $85,816 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,573/month, or 27.8% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $85K get you in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
About mechanical drafters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Entry-level mechanical drafters (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K.Top earners bring in $164K or more - a $111K 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 |
Track mechanical drafters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical drafters make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median is $84,640 a year - that works out to about $40.69 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,330, and experienced mechanical drafters can clear $163,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,661/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,573/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 27.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mechanical drafters salary go in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands has a Regional Price Parity of 98.63 (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 $85,816 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.