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CAD Drafter, Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a CAD Drafter, Specialist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAD Drafter, Specialist in the United States is $117,880 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

However, a CAD Drafter, Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $131,597
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,230 to $125,060
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $99,444
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CAD Drafter, Specialist Salaries

A CAD Drafter, Specialist'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects CAD Drafter, Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CAD Drafter, Specialist'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, Experienced (2-4 years): $75,337
  • Computer Aided Design Drafter III (4-7 years): $91,216
  • CAD Drafter, Specialist (7+ years): $117,877
  • CAD Designer V (7-10 years): $138,113
  • Computer Aided Design Supervisor (10+ years): $93,856
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
CAD Drafter, Experienced2-4 years$75,337
Computer Aided Design Drafter III4-7 years$91,216
CAD Drafter, Specialist7+ years$117,877
CAD Designer V7-10 years$138,113
Computer Aided Design Supervisor10+ years$93,856
View as Graph

How Do CAD Drafter, Specialist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract CAD Drafter, Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $130,520.
  • California: $130,020.
  • Massachusetts: $128,290.

Top Paying Cities for CAD Drafter, Specialists

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: $148,680
  • San Francisco: $147,060
  • Oakland: $143,960

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 1.99% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • 3D CAD (Mentioned in 1.44% 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 1.19% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 1.99%
3D CAD 1.44%
Installation 1.19%
See More Skills

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, Specialist's salary.

  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation $128,489
9%
Communication Skills $128,489
9%
Leadership $128,489
9%
Get Latest Data

CAD Drafter, Specialist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CAD Drafter, Specialist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $131,736. While startup companies pay approximate $111,435.

CAD Drafter, Specialist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $111,435
Growth Stage 51~500 $117,854
Established 501~5000 $127,208
Enterprise 5000+ $131,736

CAD Drafter, Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CAD Drafter, Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 85% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, CAD Drafter, Specialist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAD Drafter, Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CAD Drafter, Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$153,244$74.030%
Internet$147,350$71.025%
Aerospace & Defense$142,635$69.021%
Energy & Utilities$141,456$68.020%
Telecom$139,098$67.018%

CAD Drafter, Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CAD Drafter, Specialist'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 September 01, 2026
$108,230
Average $117,880/year
$125,060
$9,019
Average $9,823/month
$10,422
$2,081
Average $2,267/week
$2,405
$52
Average $57/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,060 $10,422 $2,405 $60
Average $117,880 $9,823 $2,267 $57
25th Percentile $108,230 $9,019 $2,081 $52

CAD Drafter, Specialist Salary Growth & Career Path

CAD Drafter, Specialist

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Advancement

For a CAD Drafter, Specialist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAD Designer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $138,200 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for CAD Drafter, Specialist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for CAD Drafter, Specialist

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

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FAQ about CAD Drafter, Specialist

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for CAD Drafter, Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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

As of now, the salary for a CAD Specialist in the United States ranges from a minimum of $115,270 to a maximum of $142,420 annually, with a mid-salary of $129,700. This translates to approximately $55.40 to $68.40 per hour, or $2,200 to $2,700 per week, depending on experience and location.

3. What is the highest paid CAD jobs?

The highest paid CAD jobs include positions like CAD Drafter, Specialist, which offers a salary range from $115,270 to $142,420, with a mid-salary of $129,700. Other top-paying careers in this field are Civil Engineer, Architect, and Mechanical Engineer, reflecting the diverse opportunities available for skilled professionals in CAD.

4. How much do freelance CAD drafters make per hour?

Freelance CAD drafters can expect to earn between approximately $55.40 and $68.50 per hour, based on the annual salary data. This range reflects the minimum salary of $115,270 and the mid-salary of $129,700, considering the complexity of the work and the drafter's qualifications.

5. Are CAD drafters in high demand?

Yes, CAD drafters are in high demand across various industries such as engineering, architecture, and design. With the right training, individuals can advance their careers and earn competitive salaries, ranging from a minimum of $115,270 to a mid-level of $129,700, and up to a maximum of $142,420. AutoCAD skills are particularly sought after in the job market.

6. What is the highest salary for AutoCAD draftsman?

The highest salary for a CAD Drafter, Specialist is approximately $142,420. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, with salaries ranging from a minimum of $115,270 to a mid-level of $129,700. These figures highlight the potential for lucrative earnings in this profession.

7. Is AutoCAD a high paying skill?

AutoCAD® drafters with expertise in design and engineering can earn competitive salaries. For CAD drafters, the minimum salary is approximately $115,270, the median salary is around $129,700, and the maximum salary can reach up to $142,420. This indicates that AutoCAD is indeed a high-paying skill in the industry.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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