Drafting schools
Compare 494 schools with CAD & drafting programs in 48 states. CAD drafters in the U.S. earn a median $71,550 a year, according to the BLS. Pick a state or city, see every campus on the map, and request info from the ones that fit.
- Schools
- 494
- States
- 48
- Median pay (U.S.)
- $71,550
- Job growth, 2025–35
- -6%
24 CAD & drafting schools nationwide
School results
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Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Asheville, NC · Public
- CAD & drafting
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- +24
Ashland Community & Technical College
Ashland, KY · Public
- CAD & drafting
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- +16
Baltimore City Community College
Baltimore, MD · Public
- CAD & drafting
- Practical nursing (LPN/LVN)
- EMT & paramedic
- +8
Big Sandy Community & Technical College
Prestonsburg, KY · Public
- CAD & drafting
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- +15
Drafting schools by state
- California (55)
- Texas (32)
- Illinois (30)
- Florida (23)
- Michigan (21)
- Pennsylvania (18)
- Georgia (16)
- Ohio (16)
- Minnesota (14)
- New York (14)
- Oklahoma (14)
- Tennessee (14)
- Virginia (14)
- Alabama (13)
- Washington (12)
- Wisconsin (12)
- Louisiana (11)
- Maryland (11)
- Mississippi (11)
- Iowa (10)
- South Carolina (10)
- Utah (9)
- Arizona (8)
- Colorado (8)
- Kansas (8)
- Massachusetts (8)
- New Mexico (8)
- North Carolina (8)
- Oregon (8)
- Kentucky (7)
- Missouri (7)
- Arkansas (6)
- Idaho (6)
- Nebraska (4)
- New Jersey (4)
- Alaska (3)
- West Virginia (3)
- Puerto Rico (3)
- Connecticut (2)
- Indiana (2)
- Maine (2)
- Nevada (2)
- South Dakota (2)
- Delaware (1)
- Hawaii (1)
- Montana (1)
- New Hampshire (1)
- Wyoming (1)
Drafting schools in major cities
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- Philadelphia, PA
- San Diego, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Washington, DC
- Boston, MA
- Detroit, MI
- Baltimore, MD
- Albuquerque, NM
- Sacramento, CA
- Atlanta, GA
- Mesa, AZ
- Kansas City, MO
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Long Beach, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Minneapolis, MN
What CAD drafters earn nationally
Median pay means half earn more and half earn less. Pay grows with experience, certifications and overtime.
- Median pay
- $71,550
- $34.40 an hour
- Typical range
- $48,360–$106,580
- 10th to 90th percentile
- Jobs in the U.S.
- 39,960
- Job growth, 2025–35
- -6%
- 2,900 openings a year (U.S.)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, and Employment Projections.
New to the field? Read how to become a CAD drafter: training, certifications, costs and what the work is like.
Hear from the best fits
One short form. Up to 3 schools send you costs, schedules and financial aid options. Free, with no obligation.
- Compare real costs and start dates
- Ask about financial aid and apprenticeships
- Your info goes only to the schools you're matched with
Step 1 of 3: Your trade
Frequently asked questions
How many drafting schools are there?
We list 494 schools with CAD & drafting programs in 48 states. California has the most, with 55. Together they reported 8,790 CAD & drafting graduates in the latest federal data.
How much do CAD drafters make?
The national median pay is $71,550 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the BLS projects -6% job growth from 2025 to 2035.
How do I find drafting schools near me?
Choose your state below or search the map by city or ZIP code. Each listing shows the school's location, type and programs, and you can request info from several schools at once.