Mechanical Drafter salary in Modesto, CA
Mechanical Drafters in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $66,060 a year ($31.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,670 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 20% lower than the California statewide median of $82,510. There are 0.20 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $73,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,630 | $25.30 |
| 25th percentile | $62,060 | $29.84 |
| Median | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| 75th percentile | $79,510 | $38.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,670 | $50.80 |
| Average (mean) | $73,330 | $35.25 |
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 | $5,505 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,752.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,540.77 |
| Weekly | $1,270.38 |
| Hourly | $31.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $65,230 | $31.36 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $95,630 | $45.98 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Drafters, All Other | $68,850 | $33.10 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,000 | $48.56 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,560 | $47.38 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,990 | $50.48 |
| Engineers, All Other | $111,840 | $53.77 |
| Surveyor | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,970 | $52.87 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $107,960 | $51.90 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $124,810 | $60.00 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, CA
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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Modesto, CA metro area is $66,060 a year, or $31.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $105,670 a year. The top 25% earn $79,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,630 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $62,060 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Modesto, CA?
About 40 mechanical drafters are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.