Mechanical Drafter salary in California
Mechanical Drafters in California earn a median of $82,510 a year ($39.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,160 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $71,550. California ranks 4th of 47 states for mechanical drafters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.20 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $86,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| 25th percentile | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| Median | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| 75th percentile | $102,860 | $49.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,160 | $61.61 |
| Average (mean) | $86,750 | $41.71 |
Half of mechanical 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 | $6,875.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,437.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,173.46 |
| Weekly | $1,586.73 |
| Hourly | $39.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Drafter salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,310 | 390 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,450 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $83,550 | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $80,780 | 1,480 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $79,180 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $78,990 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,790 | 180 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $76,520 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $76,170 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $75,610 | 350 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $75,560 | 30 |
| Fresno, CA | $69,850 | 70 |
| Modesto, CA | $66,060 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical drafters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $89,940 |
| Colorado | $85,280 |
| New Jersey | $83,380 |
| California | $82,510 |
| Texas | $79,380 |
| Louisiana | $77,730 |
| North Dakota | $77,570 |
| Washington | $76,820 |
| Maryland | $76,740 |
| New York | $76,490 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 17-3013. 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 mechanical drafter make in California?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in California is $82,510 a year, or $39.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in California?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in California earn at least $128,160 a year. The top 25% earn $102,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,200 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $65,900 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in California?
About 3,640 mechanical drafters are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.