BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mechanical Drafters in Kentucky

$70,230 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$33.76 per hour

▼ 6.4% below U.S. average30th of 47 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$70,230per year
Median$68,880per year
Hourly$33.76per hour
10th – 90th percentile$50,530 – $96,020per year

Mechanical Drafters Pay Range in Kentucky

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$50,530
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$61,990
  • 50th Percentile — Median$68,880
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$74,990
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$96,020

Half of Mechanical Drafters in Kentucky earn more than $68,880. The top 10% make $96,020 or more, while entry-level workers start around $50,530.

Mechanical Drafters in Kentucky: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Kentucky ranks 30th of 47 states for Mechanical Drafters pay, at $70,230 per year (6.4% below the U.S. average of $75,060).
  • 510 people work as Mechanical Drafters in Kentucky — 1.3% of all U.S. Mechanical Drafters jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.00: Mechanical Drafters jobs are more concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,530; the top 10% earn over $96,020.
  • Hourly equivalent: $33.76 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is New Mexico at $98,460.
  • Among engineering jobs in Kentucky, Aerospace Engineers pays the most ($133,200).

Mechanical Drafters Job Market in Kentucky

Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Mechanical Drafters here earn $70,230 on average, placing the state 30th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $70,230 is roughly equivalent to $84,614 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kansas ($71,170), Rhode Island ($70,850), West Virginia ($70,340) are the closest alternatives for Mechanical Drafters weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Mechanical Drafters salary in Kentucky?

The average Mechanical Drafters salary in Kentucky is $70,230 per year (median $68,880), which is 6.4% below the national average of $75,060.

How does Kentucky rank for Mechanical Drafters pay?

Kentucky ranks 30th out of 47 states. The highest-paying state is New Mexico ($98,460/yr).

How much do entry-level Mechanical Drafters make in Kentucky?

The lowest-paid 10% of Mechanical Drafters in Kentucky earn about $50,530 per year and the 25th percentile is $61,990.

How much do Mechanical Drafters make per hour in Kentucky?

About $33.76 per hour, based on the $70,230 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mechanical Drafters work in Kentucky?

BLS counts 510 Mechanical Drafters jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).

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