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Computer Aided Design Drafter I Salary in the United States

How much does a Computer Aided Design Drafter I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Computer Aided Design Drafter I in the United States is $66,170 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a Computer Aided Design Drafter I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,856
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,110 to $71,240
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,593
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Computer Aided Design Drafter I Salaries

A Computer Aided Design Drafter I'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 Computer Aided Design Drafter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Computer Aided Design Drafter I'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:

  • Computer Aided Design Drafter I (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): $117,877
  • CAD Designer V (7-10 years): $138,113
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Computer Aided Design Drafter I0-2 years$66,170
CAD Drafter, Experienced2-4 years$75,337
Computer Aided Design Drafter III4-7 years$91,216
CAD Designer IV7+ years$117,877
CAD Designer V7-10 years$138,113
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How Do Computer Aided Design Drafter I 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 Computer Aided Design Drafter Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $73,270.
  • California: $72,990.
  • Massachusetts: $72,020.

Top Paying Cities for Computer Aided Design Drafter Is

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: $83,470
  • San Francisco: $82,550
  • Oakland: $80,810

What Skills Can Increase a Computer Aided Design Drafter I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 3.6% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Pneumatics (Mentioned in 2.17% Job Postings): Pneumatics (pronounced new-MATT-ix) is an aspect of physics and engineering that is concerned with using the energy in compressed gas to make something move or work.
  • CAD Software (Mentioned in 1.38% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 3.6%
Pneumatics 2.17%
CAD Software 1.38%
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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 Computer Aided Design Drafter I's salary.

  • Ethernet: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Ethernet $76,096
15%
Products and Services $70,802
7%
Presentation $70,140
6%
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Computer Aided Design Drafter I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Computer Aided Design Drafter I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,948. While startup companies pay approximate $62,552.

Computer Aided Design Drafter I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $62,552
Growth Stage 51~500 $66,155
Established 501~5000 $71,406
Enterprise 5000+ $73,948

Computer Aided Design Drafter I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Computer Aided Design Drafter I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Computer Aided Design Drafter positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Computer Aided Design Drafter I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Computer Aided Design Drafter I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$79,404$38.020%
Business Services$78,081$38.018%
Construction$76,757$37.016%
Energy & Utilities$75,434$36.014%
Healthcare$74,110$36.012%

How Education impacts a Computer Aided Design Drafter I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Computer Aided Design Drafter Is 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 Computer Aided Design Drafter I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $60,587 and $64,306).

Computer Aided Design Drafter I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Computer Aided Design Drafter I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 24.3%
Associates 51.7%
Bachelors 21.3%
Masters 1.7%
Doctorate 0.2%
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Computer Aided Design Drafter I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Computer Aided Design Drafter I'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
$60,110
Average $66,170/year
$71,240
$5,009
Average $5,514/month
$5,937
$1,156
Average $1,273/week
$1,370
$29
Average $32/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $71,240 $5,937 $1,370 $34
Average $66,170 $5,514 $1,273 $32
25th Percentile $60,110 $5,009 $1,156 $29

Computer Aided Design Drafter I Salary Growth & Career Path

Computer Aided Design Drafter I

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Advancement

For a Computer Aided Design Drafter I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAD Drafter, Experienced role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $75,400 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Computer Aided Design Drafter I

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

Common company salaries for Computer Aided Design Drafter I

Here are companies hiring for Computer Aided Design Drafter I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Computer Aided Design Drafter I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Computer Aided Design Drafter I?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Computer Aided Design Drafter I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Is CAD hard to learn?

Learning CAD can be challenging, but with dedication and practice, it becomes manageable. Many find the software intuitive after some time. The skills you gain can lead to a rewarding career, with salaries ranging from $59,640 to $73,260, depending on experience and expertise. Investing time in learning CAD can pay off significantly in your professional journey.

3. What type of drafter makes the most money?

The highest-paying drafting job is in the CAD Railway Industries, with salaries ranging from $69,500 to $108,500 per year. In comparison, a Computer Aided Design Drafter earns between $59,640 and $73,260 annually, with a mid-salary of $66,110. Other drafting roles, like Interior Design CAD Drafter, offer lower salary ranges.

4. Do CAD designers make good money?

Yes, CAD designers can earn a competitive salary. The minimum salary for a Computer Aided Design Drafter is approximately $59,640, while the mid-range salary is around $66,110. Experienced professionals can earn up to $73,260, making it a lucrative career choice for those skilled in this field.

5. How long does it take to get a CAD degree?

The time it takes to earn a CAD degree typically ranges from 1 to 2 years, depending on the program and whether you attend full-time or part-time. Graduates can expect to earn a salary between $59,640 and $73,260, with a median salary around $66,110, reflecting the demand for skilled CAD drafters in various industries.

6. What is the average salary in CAD?

A full-time employee in Canada working as a Computer Aided Design Drafter earns an average annual salary of $66,110, with a salary range from $59,640 to $73,260. This translates to approximately $1,270.19 per week.

7. How much should I charge for AutoCAD drawings?

When determining how much to charge for AutoCAD drawings, consider your experience and the complexity of the project. A typical hourly rate ranges from $30 to $120. For a more structured approach, you might charge based on salary data, which suggests a range of $59,640 to $73,260 annually. This translates to approximately $28.65 to $35.15 per hour, depending on your expertise and project requirements.

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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