California Median
$73,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.28
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $63,520
State Rank
#2 of 40
1,750 employed here
How much does a Drafter, All Other make in California?
Drafters, All Other in California take home a median of $73,390 annually — roughly $35.28 an hour — which runs 16% above the national median of $63,520.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $49,200 while the top 10% make $104,290 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,160 and $90,850 a year.
Drafter, All Other salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,200 | $23.65 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,160 | $29.40 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $73,390 | $35.28 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $90,850 | $43.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,290 | $50.14 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 40 states and territories for Drafter, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Drafter, All Other salary in other states
New Jersey $77,840Wisconsin $73,040Washington $72,800New York $72,190Massachusetts $72,100New Hampshire $70,710Arizona $70,070Utah $69,420Louisiana $68,470Michigan $67,750Mississippi $67,730Colorado $67,320Virginia $67,220Connecticut $66,620Kansas $66,040Minnesota $63,220Montana $63,200Georgia $62,400Nevada $62,400Missouri $61,990South Carolina $61,250Iowa $60,750Texas $59,990Florida $59,970Vermont $59,930North Carolina $59,500Oregon $58,790Nebraska $58,640Indiana $58,600Kentucky $57,930Ohio $57,610Idaho $56,430Maryland $55,640Maine $55,460Pennsylvania $54,240Illinois $53,300Oklahoma $49,920Arkansas $48,020Alabama $47,320
Working as a Drafter, All Other in California
Nationally, about 14,000 people work as Drafters, All Other in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($73,390) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Drafter, All Other make in California?
The median Drafter, All Other salary in California is $73,390 per year, or about $35.28 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,200 at the entry level to $104,290 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Drafters, All Other about 16% more than the national median of $63,520. California ranks 2nd out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Drafters, All Other?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $73,390 a year. About 1,750 Drafters, All Other are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Drafter, All Other salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.