How much does a drafter make in San Francisco?
$82,360a year
Median yearly pay for drafters in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $39.60 an hour or $6,863 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.60
- Vs. national median
- +30%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 83
- Jobs in the area
- 170
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,220Median: $82,360Highest 10%: $123,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,220 | $30.88 | |
| 25th | $70,370 | $33.83 | |
| Median | $82,360 | $39.60 | |
| 75th | $100,300 | $48.23 | |
| 90th | $123,400 | $59.31 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for drafters.
| San Jose, CA | $90,850 |
| Sacramento, CA | $78,020 |
| San Diego, CA | $73,880 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,840 |
| Riverside, CA | $64,330 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $47,860 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $203,900 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $191,300 |
| Electrical Engineer | $166,000 |
| Electronics Engineer | $162,400 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $161,400 |
| Engineer | $159,800 |
| Health and Safety Engineer | $147,200 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $143,600 |
| Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer | $140,700 |
| Marine Engineer and Naval Architect | $140,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drafter make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $39.60 ($82,360 a year).
Do drafters make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $82,360 against $63,520 nationally, 30% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $73,390, so San Francisco pays 12% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for drafter pay?
2 of 83 metro areas with data.
How much does a drafter make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $64,220 or less a year; the top 10% make $123,400 or more.
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.