CDCareer Decision

Mechanical Drafters Salary in CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Mechanical Drafters in CA have a median annual salary of $82,510, with 3,640 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $50,200 at the 10th percentile to $128,160 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$82,510

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$39.67

Employment

3,640

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$50,200
10th
$65,900
25th
$82,510
Median
$102,860
75th
$128,160
90th

Local compared with national

CA

$82,510

Median annual · 2025

United States

$71,550

Median annual · 2025

The CA median is 15.3% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $10,960).

Top skills

  1. 1.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.4
  2. 2.Operations AnalysisImportance 3.4
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.3
  5. 5.MathematicsImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Active LearningImportance 3.3
  7. 7.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.3
  8. 8.SpeakingImportance 3.1
  9. 9.WritingImportance 3.0
  10. 10.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Time ManagementImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • 1CadCam Unigraphics
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe LiveMotion
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • Autodesk Mechanical
  • Autodesk Navisworks
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • Bentley Navigator
  • Bill of materials software
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA

Common tasks

  • Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
  • Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  • Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
  • Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
  • Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
  • Create bills of materials.
  • Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
  • Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
  • Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
  • Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Mechanical Drafters salary in other locations

Other occupations in CA