Electrical and Electronics Drafters salary in California
Electrical and Electronics Drafters in California earn a median of $78,310 a year ($37.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,810 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $76,870. California ranks 13th of 43 states for electrical and electronics drafters pay. There are 0.15 electrical and electronics drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electrical and electronics drafters in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| 25th percentile | $63,180 | $30.37 |
| Median | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| 75th percentile | $102,530 | $49.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,810 | $70.58 |
| Average (mean) | $89,900 | $43.22 |
Half of electrical and electronics drafters 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 | $6,525.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,262.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,011.92 |
| Weekly | $1,505.96 |
| Hourly | $37.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Electrical and Electronics Drafters salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $115,530 | 480 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,680 | 290 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $78,450 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $77,630 | 860 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $76,950 | 190 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $76,580 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $74,520 | 310 |
| Visalia, CA | $70,400 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $68,640 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $67,100 | 190 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $64,030 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for electrical and electronics drafters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $102,070 |
| New Mexico | $101,330 |
| Massachusetts | $87,290 |
| North Carolina | $81,960 |
| Idaho | $81,590 |
| Ohio | $80,840 |
| Georgia | $80,620 |
| Texas | $80,620 |
| Indiana | $80,100 |
| Utah | $79,360 |
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 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Drafters, All Other | $73,390 | $35.28 |
| 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 17-3012. 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 electrical and electronics drafters make in California?
The median salary for electrical and electronics drafters in California is $78,310 a year, or $37.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electrical and electronics drafters make in California?
The top 10% of electrical and electronics drafters in California earn at least $146,810 a year. The top 25% earn $102,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for electrical and electronics drafters in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,620 a year, and a quarter of electrical and electronics drafters earn $63,180 or less.
How many electrical and electronics drafters work in California?
About 2,730 electrical and electronics drafters are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.