SOC 17-3013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Drafters — Harrisburg
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mechanical Drafters in Harrisburg, PA is $68,960 per year, close to the national median of $71,550 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Mechanical Drafters in Harrisburg, PA is $68,960 per year, close to the national median of $71,550 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $58,900 and $80,870. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $50,490 and the ninetieth at $98,780.
Employment stands at 80, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $74,100. Of the 493 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 182nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,490 | −29.4% |
| 25th | $58,900 | −17.7% |
| Median (50th) | $68,960 | −3.6% |
| 75th | $80,870 | +13.0% |
| 90th | $98,780 | +38.1% |
| Mean | $73,540 | +2.8% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $74,100 | 730 | |
| 2 | Reading | $69,840 | 60 | |
| 3 | Pittsburgh | $69,550 | 540 | |
| 4 | Allentown | $65,170 | 140 | |
| 5 | York | $62,730 | 140 | |
| 6 | Lancaster | $61,270 | 120 | |
| 7 | Chambersburg | $59,550 | 40 | |
| 8 | Scranton | $59,270 | 130 | |
| 9 | Erie | $57,970 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Harrisburg run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $68,960 goes as far as $70,656 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$68,960as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$70,656US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $68,960 a year, 3.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,490 to $98,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $74,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Drafters in Harrisburg, PA?
The median annual wage is $68,960, or $33.15 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $71,550, so pay in Harrisburg, PA is 3.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Harrisburg, PA earns more than $98,780 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,490 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Philadelphia, at $74,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Harrisburg, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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