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Hourly Wage for CAD Drafter, Experienced Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of CAD Drafter, Experienced?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a CAD Drafter, Experienced in the United States is $36, which translates to an annual salary of about $75,400.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $46 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34 to $41 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $34 10% $32 90% $46 75% $41 $36 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

CAD Drafter, Experienced Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $86,100 $7,175 $1,656 $41
Average $75,400 $6,283 $1,450 $36
25th Percentile $70,500 $5,875 $1,356 $34
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Key Factors That Influence CAD Drafter, Experienced Salaries

A CAD Drafter, Experienced's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects CAD Drafter, Experienced Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAD Drafter, Experienced's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • CAD Drafter, Entry (0-2 years): $66,170
  • CAD Drafter, Experienced (2-4 years): $75,337
  • Computer Aided Design Drafter III (4-7 years): $91,216
  • CAD Designer IV (7+ years): $117,882
  • CAD Designer V (7-10 years): $138,118
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAD Drafter, Entry0-2 years$66,170
CAD Drafter, Experienced2-4 years$75,337
Computer Aided Design Drafter III4-7 years$91,216
CAD Designer IV7+ years$117,882
CAD Designer V7-10 years$138,118
$66,170 CAD Draft...
$75,337 CAD Draft...
$91,216 Computer ...
$117,882 CAD Desig...
$138,118 CAD Desig...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for CAD Drafter, Experienceds

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $95,100
  • San Francisco: $94,000
  • Oakland: $92,100

What Skills Can Increase a CAD Drafter, Experienced's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 1.96% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • 3D CAD (Mentioned in 1.49% Job Postings): CAD is short for Computer-aided design. It's the use of computers to aid in the creation and optimization of a design. Designs made through 3D CAD software focus on the three dimensional quality of design of characters and objects.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 1.96%
3D CAD 1.49%
Installation 1.17%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a CAD Drafter, Experienced's salary.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis
$79,924
6%
Collaboration
$78,416
4%
Presentation
$78,416
4%
Telecommunications
$77,662
3%
Software Design
$77,662
3%
Innovation
$77,662
3%
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CAD Drafter, Experienced Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CAD Drafter, Experienced salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $84,406. While startup companies pay approximate $71,405.

CAD Drafter, Experienced Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$71,405
Growth Stage51~500$75,520
Established501~5000$81,509
Enterprise5000+$84,406

CAD Drafter, Experienced Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAD Drafter, Experienced roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, CAD Drafter, Experienced positions in Media or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAD Drafter, Experienced as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAD Drafter, Experienced

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$101,790$49.035%
Aerospace & Defense$98,020$47.030%
Financial Services$94,250$45.025%
Construction$90,480$44.020%
Internet$90,480$44.020%

How Education impacts a CAD Drafter, Experienced's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CAD Drafter, Experienceds enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a CAD Drafter, Experienced with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $74,963 and $79,846).

CAD Drafter, Experienced Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CAD Drafter, Experienced
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 21.0%
Associates 54.0%
Bachelors 21.9%
Masters 1.9%
Doctorate 0.3%
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CAD Drafter, Experienced Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAD Drafter, Experienced's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for CAD Drafter, Experienced

Salaries for a CAD Drafter, Experienced can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $80,678 in 2023 to around $78,670 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CAD Drafter, Experienced salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of CAD Drafter, Experienced Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$80,678
2024
$79,905
2025
$78,670
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $80,678
2024 $79,905
2025 $78,670
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for CAD Drafter, Experienced

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for CAD Drafter, Experienced

Here are companies hiring for CAD Drafter, Experienced and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next CAD Drafter, Experienced Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CAD Drafter, Experienced job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
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    CDL

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    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about CAD Drafter, Experienced

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CAD Drafter, Experienced?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for CAD Drafter, Experienced roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

2. How much does a CAD specialist make in the US?

As of now, the salary for an experienced CAD Drafter in the US ranges from $71,600 to $90,200 annually, with a median salary of $80,100. This translates to approximately $34.42 to $43.38 per hour, or $1,378 to $1,731 per week. Monthly, this equates to about $5,883 to $7,500.

3. Do CAD drafters make good money?

CAD drafters can earn a competitive salary, with experienced professionals making between $71,600 and $90,200 annually. The average salary is around $80,100, indicating that this career can provide a solid income, especially compared to entry-level positions. Overall, CAD drafters can expect to make good money in their field.

4. What is the average salary in CAD?

The average salary for an experienced CAD Drafter in Canada ranges from $71,600 to $90,200 annually, with a mid-salary of $80,100. This reflects the competitive compensation for skilled professionals in the field, highlighting the value of expertise in CAD drafting.

5. How much do CAD CAM engineers make in the US?

As of now, the salary for an experienced CAD Drafter in the US ranges from $71,600 to $90,200 annually, with a median salary of $80,100. This translates to approximately $34.42 to $43.37 per hour, or $1,467 to $1,738 per week.

6. What is the highest salary for AutoCAD draftsman?

The highest salary for an experienced CAD Drafter is approximately CAD 90,200 per year. The salary range for this position typically starts at CAD 71,600, with a mid-level salary around CAD 80,100. This reflects the competitive nature of the industry and the value placed on skilled drafters.

7. What is the highest paid CAD jobs?

The highest paid CAD jobs include various engineering roles, with CAD Drafters earning between $71,600 and $90,200, depending on experience. Other top positions are Civil Engineers, Architects, and Mechanical Engineers, all of which typically offer competitive salaries and require specialized skills in design and technical drawing.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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