As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAD Drafter III in California is $100,611 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.
However, a CAD Drafter III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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CAD Drafter III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $109,057 | $9,088 | $2,097 | $52 |
| Average | $100,611 | $8,384 | $1,935 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,436 | $7,620 | $1,758 | $44 |
Jobot - Alameda, CA
Jobot - San Jose, CA
KPFF Consulting Engineers - Long Beach, CA
POWERCON ENGINEERING, INC. - Tustin, CA
A CAD Drafter III'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 III'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 IIIs. 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 III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $112,533. While startup companies pay approximate $95,169.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $95,169 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $100,656 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $108,672 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $112,533 |
For CAD Drafter III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Transportation and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, CAD Drafter positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CAD Drafter III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation | $130,795 | $63.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $110,672 | $53.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $110,672 | $53.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $108,660 | $52.0 | 8% |
| Biotechnology | $105,642 | $51.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a CAD Drafter III'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 | $109,057 | $9,088 | $2,097 | $52 |
| Average | $100,611 | $8,384 | $1,935 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,436 | $7,620 | $1,758 | $44 |
For a CAD Drafter III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CAD Drafter IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $130,028 - a projected growth of 29% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CAD Drafter III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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