Mechanical Drafters Salary in Salem, OR
The median pay for a mechanical drafters in Salem, OR is $63,600/year ($30.58/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $102K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.65), that's roughly $61,360 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,560/month — about 37.6% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $64K get you in Salem?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Salem’s Regional Price Parity (103.65). 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, Salem, OR
Entry-level mechanical drafters (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K. Top earners bring in $102K or more, a $52K 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 Salem numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical drafters make in Salem, OR?
The median is $63,600 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,610, and experienced mechanical drafters can clear $102,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in Salem?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,007/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,560/month, which eats 38.9% 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 Salem?
Salem has a Regional Price Parity of 103.65 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical drafters salary is worth about $61,360 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.