SOC 17-3013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Drafters — Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · 4 metro areas compared
At $94,470 a year, the median wage for Mechanical Drafters in Seattle, WA sits 32.0% above the national figure of $71,550.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $94,470 a year, the median wage for Mechanical Drafters in Seattle, WA sits 32.0% above the national figure of $71,550. Half of workers earn between $67,220 and $133,420. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $59,670 and the ninetieth at $137,690.
The area has 1,020 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.5 of every thousand jobs. Bellingham leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $73,680. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 251st of 693 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,670 | −16.6% |
| 25th | $67,220 | −6.1% |
| Median (50th) | $94,470 | +32.0% |
| 75th | $133,420 | +86.5% |
| 90th | $137,690 | +92.4% |
| Mean | $98,470 | +37.6% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellingham | $73,680 | 80 | |
| 2 | Mount Vernon | $66,020 | 30 | |
| 3 | Spokane | $61,060 | 160 | |
| 4 | Yakima | $55,510 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Seattle run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $94,470 buys what $88,290 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 23.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$94,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$88,290US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $94,470 a year, 32.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $59,670 to $137,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,020 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bellingham, at $73,680.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Drafters in Seattle, WA?
The median annual wage is $94,470, or $45.42 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 Seattle, WA is 32.0% higher. 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 Seattle, WA earns more than $137,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $59,670 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 Bellingham, at $73,680 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,020 jobs in this occupation in Seattle, WA. 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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