CAD drafter salary

CAD drafters in the U.S. earn a median $71,550 a year.

Median pay
$71,550
Median hourly
$34.40
Typical range
$48,360–$106,580
Jobs
39,960

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for CAD drafters in the U.S.
PercentileAnnual pay
10th (entry level)$48,360
25th$58,080
Median$71,550
75th$86,120
90th (top earners)$106,580

Pay in the biggest metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$83,2001,620
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$80,7801,480
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$78,8201,300
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$84,0701,180
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$94,4701,020
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$75,050970
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$75,770830
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$74,100730
Portland-South Portland, ME$76,360570
Pittsburgh, PA$69,550540

CAD drafter salary by state

  1. 1New Mexico$89,940
  2. 2Colorado$85,280
  3. 3New Jersey$83,380
  4. 4California$82,510
  5. 5Texas$79,380
  6. 6Louisiana$77,730
  7. 7North Dakota$77,570
  8. 8Washington$76,820
  9. 9Maryland$76,740
  10. 10New York$76,490
  11. 11Maine$76,360
  12. 12Nevada$75,830
  13. 13Massachusetts$75,490
  14. 14Oregon$74,000
  15. 15Minnesota$73,090
  16. 16Vermont$73,040
  17. 17Michigan$72,280
  18. 18Ohio$70,580
  19. 19Utah$70,000
  20. 20Virginia$69,630
  21. 21Rhode Island$69,290
  22. 22Kentucky$68,880
  23. 23Connecticut$68,830
  24. 24Florida$68,050
  25. 25Arizona$67,410
  26. 26Georgia$66,670
  27. 27Missouri$66,350
  28. 28Kansas$65,250
  29. 29West Virginia$65,100
  30. 30Wisconsin$63,770
  31. 31South Carolina$63,740
  32. 32Pennsylvania$63,480
  33. 33Oklahoma$63,440
  34. 34Tennessee$63,390
  35. 35Iowa$63,330
  36. 36Illinois$63,320
  37. 37Indiana$62,820
  38. 38Nebraska$61,170
  39. 39Wyoming$61,070
  40. 40Mississippi$60,460
  41. 41Arkansas$59,960
  42. 42Idaho$59,050
  43. 43North Carolina$59,050
  44. 44Delaware$57,110
  45. 45New Hampshire$55,390
  46. 46Alabama$53,600
  47. –Puerto Rico$53,470
  48. 47South Dakota$52,610

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools.

Drafting schoolsHow to become a CAD drafter

Frequently asked questions

How much do CAD drafters make?

The median pay for CAD drafters in the U.S. is $71,550 a year ($34.40 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,360, and the top 10% earn over $106,580.

Which states pay CAD drafters the most?

The top-paying states are New Mexico ($89,940), Colorado ($85,280), New Jersey ($83,380), California ($82,510), Texas ($79,380).

How can a CAD drafter earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a CAD drafter covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Mechanical Drafters, SOC 17-3013). Figures exclude self-employed workers.