How much does a drafter make in California?
$73,390a year
Median yearly pay for drafters in California. That is $35.28 an hour or $6,116 a month.
- Hourly
- $35.28
- Vs. national median
- +16%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 40
- Jobs in the state
- 1,750
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,200Median: $73,390Highest 10%: $104,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,200 | $23.65 | |
| 25th | $61,160 | $29.40 | |
| Median | $73,390 | $35.28 | |
| 75th | $90,850 | $43.68 | |
| 90th | $104,300 | $50.14 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $90,850 |
| San Francisco, CA | $82,360 |
| Sacramento, CA | $78,020 |
| Fresno, CA | $75,150 |
| San Diego, CA | $73,880 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,840 |
| Modesto, CA | $68,850 |
| Oxnard, CA | $67,670 |
| Stockton, CA | $66,010 |
| Riverside, CA | $64,330 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $47,860 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for drafters.
| 1. New Jersey | $77,840 |
| 2. California | $73,390 |
| 3. Wisconsin | $73,040 |
| 4. Washington | $72,800 |
| 5. New York | $72,190 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drafter make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $35.28 ($73,390 a year).
Do drafters make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $73,390 against $63,520 nationally, 16% more.
Where does California rank for drafter pay?
California ranks 2 of 40 states.
Which city in California pays drafters the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $90,850 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.