How much does a mechanical drafter make in California?
$82,510a year
Median yearly pay for mechanical drafters in California. That is $39.67 an hour or $6,876 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.67
- Vs. national median
- +15%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 47
- Jobs in the state
- 3,640
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $50,200Median: $82,510Highest 10%: $128,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,200 | $24.13 | |
| 25th | $65,900 | $31.68 | |
| Median | $82,510 | $39.67 | |
| 75th | $102,900 | $49.45 | |
| 90th | $128,200 | $61.62 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $98,310 |
| San Jose, CA | $97,450 |
| San Diego, CA | $83,550 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $80,780 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $79,180 |
| Oxnard, CA | $78,990 |
| Sacramento, CA | $77,790 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $76,520 |
| Stockton, CA | $76,170 |
| Riverside, CA | $75,610 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $75,560 |
| Fresno, CA | $69,850 |
| Modesto, CA | $66,060 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for mechanical drafters.
| 1. New Mexico | $89,940 |
| 2. Colorado | $85,280 |
| 3. New Jersey | $83,380 |
| 4. California | $82,510 |
| 5. Texas | $79,380 |
| 6. Louisiana | $77,730 |
| 7. North Dakota | $77,570 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical drafter make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $39.67 ($82,510 a year).
Do mechanical drafters make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $82,510 against $71,550 nationally, 15% more.
Where does California rank for mechanical drafter pay?
California ranks 4 of 47 states.
Which city in California pays mechanical drafters the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $98,310 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.