Drafters, All Other salary in California
Drafters, All Other in California earn a median of $73,390 a year ($35.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,290 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $63,520. California ranks 2nd of 40 states for drafters, all other pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.10 drafters, all other per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for drafters, all other in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| 25th percentile | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| Median | $73,390 | $35.28 |
| 75th percentile | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,290 | $50.14 |
| Average (mean) | $75,890 | $36.49 |
Half of drafters, all other earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,115.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,057.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,822.69 |
| Weekly | $1,411.35 |
| Hourly | $35.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Drafters, All Other salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,850 | 80 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $82,360 | 170 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $78,020 | 100 |
| Fresno, CA | $75,150 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $73,880 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $73,840 | 690 |
| Modesto, CA | $68,850 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $67,670 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $66,010 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $64,330 | 160 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $47,860 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for drafters, all other
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $77,840 |
| California | $73,390 |
| Wisconsin | $73,040 |
| Washington | $72,800 |
| New York | $72,190 |
| Massachusetts | $72,100 |
| New Hampshire | $70,710 |
| Arizona | $70,070 |
| Utah | $69,420 |
| Louisiana | $68,470 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $80,480 | $38.69 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $83,490 | $40.14 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,070 | $38.02 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $87,390 | $42.02 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $99,000 | $47.59 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $79,010 | $37.98 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3019. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drafters, all other make in California?
The median salary for drafters, all other in California is $73,390 a year, or $35.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid drafters, all other make in California?
The top 10% of drafters, all other in California earn at least $104,290 a year. The top 25% earn $90,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for drafters, all other in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,200 a year, and a quarter of drafters, all other earn $61,160 or less.
How many drafters, all other work in California?
About 1,750 drafters, all other are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.