As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAD Drafter I in California is $72,986 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a CAD Drafter I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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CAD Drafter I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $78,574 | $6,548 | $1,511 | $38 |
| Average | $72,986 | $6,082 | $1,404 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,300 | $5,525 | $1,275 | $32 |
Jobot - San Jose, CA
Jobot - Alameda, CA
Seachrome - Long Beach, CA
POWERCON ENGINEERING, INC. - Tustin, CA
A CAD 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a CAD 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CAD Drafter I | 0-2 years | $72,986 |
| CAD Drafter II | 2-4 years | $83,096 |
| CAD Drafter III | 4-7 years | $100,611 |
| CAD Drafter IV | 7+ years | $130,028 |
| CAD Drafter V | 7-10 years | $152,351 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
CAD Drafter I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $81,634. While startup companies pay approximate $69,038.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $69,038 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $73,018 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $78,833 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $81,634 |
For CAD 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, CAD Drafter positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAD Drafter I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $87,583 | $42.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $86,123 | $41.0 | 18% |
| Construction | $84,663 | $41.0 | 16% |
| Energy & Utilities | $83,203 | $40.0 | 14% |
| Healthcare | $81,744 | $39.0 | 12% |
Understanding how a CAD 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $78,574 | $6,548 | $1,511 | $38 |
| Average | $72,986 | $6,082 | $1,404 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,300 | $5,525 | $1,275 | $32 |
For a CAD Drafter I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAD Drafter II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $83,096 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CAD Drafter I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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