Drafter Salary in 2026
How Much Do Drafters Make?
Drafters earn a median annual salary of $62,010 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $42,170 at the 10th percentile to $96,620 at the 90th percentile — a range of $54,450. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $87,820.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,170 |
| 25th percentile | $50,970 |
| Median (50th) | $62,010 |
| 75th percentile | $77,750 |
| 90th percentile | $96,620 |
Drafter Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusettstop | $87,820 |
| Utah | $78,210 |
| Nevada | $77,900 |
| California | $71,460 |
| New Hampshire | $68,940 |
| Tennessee | $68,530 |
| Wisconsin | $68,370 |
| Washington | $68,120 |
| New Jersey | $66,430 |
| Connecticut | $64,730 |
| New York | $63,040 |
| Minnesota | $62,880 |
| Illinois | $62,540 |
| Montana | $62,410 |
| Kansas | $62,400 |
| Arizona | $62,220 |
| Mississippi | $61,780 |
| Florida | $61,490 |
| Indiana | $61,310 |
| Virginia | $61,120 |
| Colorado | $60,180 |
| Maryland | $59,740 |
| Texas | $59,680 |
| South Carolina | $58,980 |
| Oregon | $58,840 |
| Vermont | $58,420 |
| Louisiana | $58,400 |
| Idaho | $57,980 |
| North Carolina | $57,810 |
| Michigan | $57,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,700 |
| Ohio | $56,470 |
| Georgia | $56,150 |
| Nebraska | $53,910 |
| Missouri | $53,780 |
| New Mexico | $53,320 |
| Kentucky | $51,520 |
| Arkansas | $50,100 |
| Iowa | $49,400 |
| Oklahoma | $43,750 |
| Rhode Island | $41,290 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Drafters
Drafter Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$42,170 – $50,970 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$62,010 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$77,750 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $96,620+ |
How to Earn More as a Drafter
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Drafters in Massachusetts earn $87,820 — $25,810 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($77,750) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 17-3019.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.