Mechanical Drafter salary in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
Mechanical Drafters in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area earn a median of $78,990 a year ($37.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,100 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 4% lower than the California statewide median of $82,510. There are 0.28 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,680 | $24.37 |
| 25th percentile | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| Median | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| 75th percentile | $99,870 | $48.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,100 | $57.26 |
| Average (mean) | $81,300 | $39.09 |
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 | $6,582.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,291.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,038.08 |
| Weekly | $1,519.04 |
| Hourly | $37.98 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $94,810 | $45.58 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $73,700 | $35.43 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $64,720 | $31.12 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $95,180 | $45.76 |
| Drafters, All Other | $67,670 | $32.53 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $117,380 | $56.43 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $147,180 | $70.76 |
| Civil Engineer | $108,820 | $52.32 |
| Engineers, All Other | $122,990 | $59.13 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, 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 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area is $78,990 a year, or $37.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area earn at least $119,100 a year. The top 25% earn $99,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,680 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $62,210 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
About 90 mechanical drafters are employed in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.