Mechanical Drafters Salary in Jackson, TN
The median pay for a mechanical drafters in Jackson, TN is $49,240/year ($23.67/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 85.52), which stretches that salary to about $57,577 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,260/month — about 35.6% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $49K get you in Jackson?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Jackson’s Regional Price Parity (85.52). 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, Jackson, TN
Entry-level mechanical drafters (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $26K 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 Jackson numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical drafters make in Jackson, TN?
The median is $49,240 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,500, and experienced mechanical drafters can clear $64,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Jackson?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,467/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,260/month, which eats 36.3% 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 Jackson?
Jackson has a Regional Price Parity of 85.52 (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 $57,577 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.