Drafters Salary
Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD
Search Jobs on IndeedAvg Median Salary
$61,600
Highest Paying City
San Jose
$89,000
Cities Tracked
60
What Do Drafters Do?
Drafters use their expertise in math, science, and design to create solutions for real-world challenges. Whether working on infrastructure, products, or systems, they ensure that designs are safe, efficient, and functional.
Work environments vary from offices and laboratories to construction sites and manufacturing plants. Some positions require travel to project sites or client locations.
Key Skills for Drafters
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, or a related technical field
A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field is required. Many positions also require professional licensure (PE license for engineers, architectural license for architects). A master's degree can lead to advanced positions.
Career Outlook
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average, with demand for engineers and architects driven by infrastructure needs, technology development, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
How to Increase Your Drafters Salary
- 1.Learn advanced CAD and simulation software tools
- 2.Specialize in high-demand areas like renewable energy or sustainable design
- 3.Pursue a master's degree or professional certifications
- 4.Develop project management skills alongside technical expertise
- 5.Stay current with building codes, regulations, and industry standards
Drafters Salary by City
| City | Median | Average | Range (10th-90th) | Currency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $89,000 | $99,000 | $53,000 - $116,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Francisco, CA | $84,000 | $91,000 | $50,000 - $109,000 | USD | Apply |
| Seattle, WA | $82,000 | $89,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | USD | Apply |
| Boston, MA | $77,000 | $80,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | USD | Apply |
| New York, NY | $76,000 | $80,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| Washington DC, DC | $76,000 | $80,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $74,000 | $80,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | USD | Apply |
| Honolulu, HI | $70,000 | $77,000 | $46,000 - $88,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Diego, CA | $69,000 | $75,000 | $45,000 - $87,000 | USD | Apply |
| Austin, TX | $69,000 | $72,000 | $45,000 - $87,000 | USD | Apply |
| Minneapolis, MN | $68,000 | $72,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | USD | Apply |
| Denver, CO | $68,000 | $72,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | USD | Apply |
| Portland, OR | $68,000 | $76,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | USD | Apply |
| Baltimore, MD | $68,000 | $72,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | USD | Apply |
| Philadelphia, PA | $67,000 | $70,000 | $44,000 - $85,000 | USD | Apply |
| Anchorage, AK | $67,000 | $73,000 | $44,000 - $85,000 | USD | Apply |
| Hartford, CT | $66,000 | $70,000 | $43,000 - $83,000 | USD | Apply |
| Dallas, TX | $65,000 | $69,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | USD | Apply |
| Sacramento, CA | $65,000 | $70,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | USD | Apply |
| Chicago, IL | $64,000 | $71,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | USD | Apply |
| Atlanta, GA | $63,000 | $66,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | USD | Apply |
| Houston, TX | $62,000 | $65,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | USD | Apply |
| Detroit, MI | $62,000 | $63,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | USD | Apply |
| Nashville, TN | $61,000 | $65,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | USD | Apply |
| Raleigh, NC | $61,000 | $65,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | USD | Apply |
| Charlotte, NC | $61,000 | $65,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | USD | Apply |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $61,000 | $63,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | USD | Apply |
| Kansas City, MO | $61,000 | $63,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | USD | Apply |
| Milwaukee, WI | $61,000 | $63,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | USD | Apply |
| Richmond, VA | $61,000 | $68,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | USD | Apply |
| Phoenix, AZ | $60,000 | $64,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Antonio, TX | $59,000 | $64,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | USD | Apply |
| St. Louis, MO | $59,000 | $64,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | USD | Apply |
| Jacksonville, FL | $59,000 | $61,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | USD | Apply |
| Toronto, ON | $59,000 | $62,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Miami, FL | $58,000 | $63,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | USD | Apply |
| Las Vegas, NV | $58,000 | $64,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | USD | Apply |
| Columbus, OH | $58,000 | $63,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | USD | Apply |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $58,000 | $61,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | USD | Apply |
| Orlando, FL | $57,000 | $60,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | USD | Apply |
| Indianapolis, IN | $57,000 | $60,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cincinnati, OH | $57,000 | $62,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | USD | Apply |
| Louisville, KY | $57,000 | $59,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | USD | Apply |
| Birmingham, AL | $57,000 | $61,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | USD | Apply |
| Vancouver, BC | $57,000 | $62,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Tampa, FL | $56,000 | $58,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cleveland, OH | $56,000 | $61,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | USD | Apply |
| New Orleans, LA | $56,000 | $60,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | USD | Apply |
| Buffalo, NY | $56,000 | $61,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | USD | Apply |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $55,000 | $56,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | USD | Apply |
| Memphis, TN | $55,000 | $61,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tucson, AZ | $55,000 | $56,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | USD | Apply |
| Calgary, AB | $54,000 | $57,000 | $35,000 - $68,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Ottawa, ON | $53,000 | $59,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Edmonton, AB | $51,000 | $57,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Hamilton, ON | $49,000 | $51,000 | $32,000 - $62,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Montreal, QC | $47,000 | $50,000 | $31,000 - $59,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Halifax, NS | $47,000 | $49,000 | $31,000 - $59,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Winnipeg, MB | $45,000 | $50,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Quebec City, QC | $45,000 | $50,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | CAD | Apply |