How much does a drafter make?
Answer: A typical drafter in the United States makes $66,150 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 104,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Drafter pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $46,260 | $66,150 | $99,710 | about 104,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $76,990 | about 3,000 |
| California | $76,520 | about 11,000 |
| Colorado | $76,370 | about 4,000 |
| Connecticut | $76,290 | about 810 |
| New York | $76,260 | about 7,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, drafters with more experience, in-demand CAD skills, or optional certification may earn more. Pay can also change with location, employer or industry, specialized work, and extra hours.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a drafter do?
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.
What's a typical day like?
A drafter turns an architect’s sketch, measurements, and building rules into detailed plans or maps on a computer. They check dimensions, coordinate with architects or engineers, revise drawings, and may visit a jobsite.
How to get this job
After high school, study drafting at a community or technical college; an associate degree or certificate can prepare you. No license or exam is listed; certification is optional, and apprenticeships are available, with no set starting age.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some civil drafters use drones to capture aerial views and ground-shape data for engineering projects.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Architecture and Engineering jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/drafters.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-3011.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY