What are the main factors that influence a 3d Drafter's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A 3d Drafter's salary?

A 3d Drafter's salary grows with experience: a CAD Drafter I (0-2 years)earns $67,321, a CAD Drafter II (2-4 years)earns $76,648, a 3d Drafter (4-7 years)earns $92,803, a CAD Drafter IV (7+ years)earns $119,933, a CAD Drafter V (7-10 years)earns $140,521,

What are the highest paying states for a 3d Drafter?

3d Drafter salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for 3d Drafter roles are District of Columbia $100,654, California $100,272, Massachusetts $98,936. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of 3d Drafter roles make?

Salaries for 3d Drafter level roles vary by specialization: Pipe Drafter: $97,998; Design Drafter: $92,996; Engineering Drafter: $91,980; Construction Drafter: $89,055; Residential Drafter: $77,165.

How do different companies affect a 3d Drafter's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for 3d Drafter roles. Large, established industry leaders like C R Bard Inc ($128,509) and Henry Schein Canada ($124,697) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $82,041.

3d Drafter Salary in the United States

How much does a 3d Drafter make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a 3d Drafter in the United States is $90,908 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.

However, a 3d Drafter's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $105,414
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,813 to $98,501
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,532

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3d Drafter Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$98,501	$8,208	$1,894	$47
Average	$90,908	$7,576	$1,748	$44
25th Percentile	$81,813	$6,818	$1,573	$39

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence 3d Drafter Salaries

A 3d Drafter'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 3d Drafter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 3d Drafter'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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $67,321
Early Career (1-2 years): $76,648
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $92,803
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $119,933
Expert (over 8 years): $140,521

Levels	Salary
CAD Draft... Level 3d Drafter	$67,321
CAD Draft... Level 3d Drafter	$76,648
3d Drafte... Level 3d Drafter	$92,803
CAD Draft... Level 3d Drafter	$119,933
CAD Draft... Level 3d Drafter	$140,521

View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do 3d Drafter 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 3d Drafters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $100,654.
California: $100,272.
Massachusetts: $98,936.

District of Columbia $100,654

California $100,272

Massachusetts $98,936

Washington $98,572

New Jersey $98,536

Alaska $98,408

Connecticut $97,154

New York $96,645

Hawaii $95,017

Rhode Island $94,254

Maryland $93,736

Minnesota $93,026

Colorado $92,754

Illinois $92,663

Oregon $92,317

Delaware $92,063

New Hampshire $91,903

Virginia $91,545

Pennsylvania $90,499

Nevada $89,972

North Dakota $89,799

Michigan $89,526

Wisconsin $89,426

Vermont $89,226

Texas $88,672

Maine $88,636

Arizona $88,581

Ohio $88,517

Georgia $87,681

Indiana $87,263

Wyoming $87,181

Utah $87,054

Iowa $86,999

Kansas $86,563

Louisiana $86,436

North Carolina $86,390

Missouri $86,372

Florida $86,017

Montana $85,827

Nebraska $85,645

Kentucky $85,545

South Carolina $85,181

Tennessee $84,954

Idaho $84,863

New Mexico $84,199

Oklahoma $84,054

Alabama $83,517

South Dakota $82,617

Arkansas $82,127

West Virginia $81,863

Mississippi $81,072

Top Paying Cities for 3d Drafters

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: $114,663
San Francisco: $113,407
Oakland: $111,017

San Jose, CA $114,663

San Francisco, CA $113,407

Oakland, CA $111,017

New York, NY $104,671

Paramus, NJ $103,398

Queens Village, NY $103,394

Passaic, NJ $103,307

Bergenfield, NJ $103,299

Stamford, CT $103,099

Huntington, NY $103,062

Newark, NJ $102,390

Bridgeport, CT $102,198

Vallejo, CA $102,017

New Brunswick, NJ $101,981

Petaluma, CA $101,926

Middlesex, NJ $101,754

Somerset, NJ $101,690

Santa Cruz, CA $101,572

Boston, MA $101,017

Monterey, CA $100,698

Seattle, WA $100,490

Santa Rosa, CA $100,472

Los Angeles, CA $100,445

Juneau, AK $100,208

Washington, DC $100,108

Orange, CA $99,785

Santa Ana, CA $99,545

Long Beach, CA $99,454

Anaheim, CA $99,435

Anchorage, AK $99,390

Santa Maria, CA $99,117

Everett, WA $99,099

Danbury, CT $98,779

Bremerton, WA $98,654

Tacoma, WA $98,326

New Suffolk, NY $98,325

Sacramento, CA $98,299

Santa Barbara, CA $98,199

Trenton, NJ $98,099

San Diego, CA $98,099

Brockton, MA $97,999

Fairbanks, AK $97,776

Lompoc, CA $97,545

Lowell, MA $97,471

Ventura, CA $97,454

Nashua, NH $97,436

Stockton, CA $97,426

Modesto, CA $96,763

Poughkeepsie, NY $96,563

Olympia, WA $96,390

Kennewick, WA $96,390

New Haven, CT $96,354

Lawrence, MA $96,026

Hartford, CT $95,936

Riverside, CA $95,917

New Bedford, MA $95,826

Richland, WA $95,826

Bakersfield, CA $95,699

San Bernardino, CA $95,663

New Britain, CT $95,654

Atlantic City, NJ $95,654

New London, CT $95,617

Norwich, CT $95,590

Portsmouth, NH $95,572

Boulder, CO $95,379

Portland, OR $95,254

Worcester, MA $95,245

Minneapolis, MN $94,963

Philadelphia, PA $94,836

Honolulu, HI $94,536

Saint Paul, MN $94,492

Vineland, NJ $94,472

Providence, RI $94,208

Chicago, IL $93,945

Bellingham, WA $93,836

Springfield, MA $93,763

Baltimore, MD $93,736

Chico, CA $93,508

Pittsfield, MA $93,263

Manchester, NH $93,090

Spokane, WA $92,690

Denver, CO $92,681

Albany, NY $92,254

Troy, NY $92,217

Nassau, NY $92,120

Schenectady, NY $92,026

Wilmington, DE $91,954

Burlington, VT $91,826

Salem, OR $91,790

Portland, ME $91,508

Yakima, WA $91,417

Rochester, MN $91,136

Reno, NV $91,090

Fresno, CA $91,090

Milwaukee, WI $91,008

Detroit, MI $90,917

Ann Arbor, MI $90,902

Allentown, PA $90,890

Colorado Springs, CO $90,736

Syracuse, NY $90,690

Carson City, NV $90,690

Houston, TX $90,563

Eugene, OR $90,517

Gary, IN $90,408

Springfield, OR $90,336

Bismarck, ND $90,317

Galveston, TX $90,254

Medford, OR $90,117

Fort Collins, CO $90,081

Concord, NH $90,036

Austin, TX $90,008

Mesa, AZ $89,817

Reading, PA $89,808

Phoenix, AZ $89,799

Dallas, TX $89,772

Saint Cloud, MN $89,685

Madison, WI $89,563

Utica, NY $89,317

Rochester, NY $89,172

Des Moines, IA $89,163

Raleigh, NC $89,154

Atlanta, GA $89,017

Battle Creek, MI $88,990

Salt Lake City, UT $88,963

Lancaster, PA $88,826

Harrisburg, PA $88,699

Kansas City, MO $88,608

Champaign, IL $88,590

Kansas City, KS $88,590

Fort Worth, TX $88,581

Columbus, OH $88,566

Boca Raton, FL $88,545

Pittsburgh, PA $88,508

Richmond, VA $88,472

Indianapolis, IN $88,454

Cleveland, OH $88,445

Las Vegas, NV $88,336

Cincinnati, OH $88,336

Petersburg, VA $88,199

Huntsville, AL $88,063

Lansing, MI $88,002

Lebanon, PA $87,990

Pueblo, CO $87,981

Appleton, WI $87,954

Buffalo, NY $87,917

Dayton, OH $87,890

Racine, WI $87,872

Charlotte, NC $87,863

Saint Louis, MO $87,836

York, PA $87,781

Elkhart, IN $87,781

Gastonia, NC $87,764

Billings, MT $87,742

Beaumont, TX $87,717

Lorain, OH $87,699

Benton Harbor, MI $87,681

Toledo, OH $87,663

Binghamton, NY $87,617

Rock Hill, SC $87,608

Rockford, IL $87,563

Springfield, IL $87,527

Elyria, OH $87,517

Fargo, ND $87,517

Flagstaff, AZ $87,454

Fort Lauderdale, FL $87,399

Duluth, MN $87,345

Miami, FL $87,345

Cheyenne, WY $87,281

Grand Forks, ND $87,281

Bangor, ME $87,081

Cedar Rapids, IA $86,981

Durham, NC $86,943

Louisville, KY $86,936

Grand Rapids, MI $86,917

Hialeah, FL $86,908

Casper, WY $86,781

Scranton, PA $86,672

New Orleans, LA $86,645

Virginia Beach, VA $86,636

Akron, OH $86,590

Peoria, IL $86,472

Sarasota, FL $86,454

Nashville, TN $86,390

Omaha, NE $86,390

Green Bay, WI $86,390

Baton Rouge, LA $86,345

Charleston, SC $86,327

Jamestown, NY $86,281

Davenport, IA $86,281

Tucson, AZ $86,236

Saint Petersburg, FL $86,181

Tampa, FL $86,163

Evansville, IN $86,108

Port Arthur, TX $86,108

Bradenton, FL $86,072

Santa Fe, NM $85,908

Orlando, FL $85,745

Clearwater, FL $85,717

Canton, OH $85,527

La Crosse, WI $85,527

Albuquerque, NM $85,472

Newport News, VA $85,463

High Point, NC $85,436

Ogden, UT $85,399

Corpus Christi, TX $85,327

Norfolk, VA $85,272

Laramie, WY $85,272

Rock Island, IL $85,217

Saginaw, MI $85,199

Jacksonville, FL $85,190

Salisbury, NC $85,172

Boise, ID $85,154

Moline, IL $85,108

Fort Myers, FL $85,081

Memphis, TN $85,063

Tulsa, OK $85,017

Waterloo, IA $84,963

Spartanburg, SC $84,872

Lincoln, NE $84,827

Fort Wayne, IN $84,808

Provo, UT $84,799

Cedar Falls, IA $84,690

San Antonio, TX $84,654

Greensboro, NC $84,617

South Bend, IN $84,608

Savannah, GA $84,508

Muskegon, MI $84,472

Birmingham, AL $84,463

Winston Salem, NC $84,418

Lake Charles, LA $84,199

Anderson, IN $84,181

Lexington, KY $84,154

Augusta, GA $84,127

Greenville, SC $84,127

Lima, OH $84,054

Wichita, KS $84,045

Tuscaloosa, AL $84,045

Columbia, SC $83,963

Springfield, OH $83,945

Asheville, NC $83,799

Bloomington, IN $83,736

Knoxville, TN $83,408

Shreveport, LA $83,399

Wilmington, NC $83,281

Roanoke, VA $83,281

Topeka, KS $83,117

Frankfort, KY $83,107

Oklahoma City, OK $83,045

Chillicothe, OH $83,008

Longview, TX $82,999

Melbourne, FL $82,990

Sioux Falls, SD $82,845

Mobile, AL $82,836

Terre Haute, IN $82,799

Altoona, PA $82,745

Amarillo, TX $82,681

Killeen, TX $82,654

Fayetteville, AR $82,581

Chattanooga, TN $82,554

Sioux City, IA $82,472

Idaho Falls, ID $82,454

Lynchburg, VA $82,381

Gainesville, FL $82,263

Portsmouth, OH $82,217

Little Rock, AR $82,199

Lafayette, LA $82,163

Youngstown, OH $82,163

Daytona Beach, FL $82,108

Clarksville, TN $82,099

Pensacola, FL $82,090

Temple, TX $82,084

Hopkinsville, KY $81,817

Erie, PA $81,799

Florence, SC $81,763

Charleston, WV $81,617

Great Falls, MT $81,572

Macon, GA $81,445

Tallahassee, FL $81,436

Fayetteville, NC $81,417

Waco, TX $81,399

Helena, MT $81,336

Pine Bluff, AR $81,301

Vincennes, IN $81,190

Lubbock, TX $81,154

Alamogordo, NM $81,099

Twin Falls, ID $81,017

Rapid City, SD $80,990

Jackson, MS $80,827

Huntington, WV $80,820

Greenville, MS $80,817

Parkersburg, WV $80,725

Montgomery, AL $80,708

Wichita Falls, TX $80,617

Springfield, MO $80,617

Biloxi, MS $80,572

Monroe, LA $80,481

Johnstown, PA $80,417

Sumter, SC $80,381

Columbus, GA $80,372

Pascagoula, MS $80,199

Abilene, TX $80,199

Kingsport, TN $79,963

Albany, GA $79,963

Gulfport, MS $79,936

Alexandria, LA $79,636

Fort Smith, AR $79,408

El Paso, TX $79,163

Las Cruces, NM $78,754

Harlingen, TX $78,523

Pocatello, ID $78,508

Florence, AL $78,390

Brownsville, TX $78,372

Mcallen, TX $78,181

Dothan, AL $78,054

Columbus, MS $77,514

Altus, OK $77,090

Lawton, OK $76,918

Pierre, SD $76,590

What Skills Can Increase a 3d Drafter's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 3.62% 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 2.2% 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.

See More Skills

Skills	Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting	3.62%
Pneumatics	2.2%
CAD Software	1.38%

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 3d Drafter's salary.

Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Products and Services	$98,181	8%
Innovation	$96,363	6%
Analysis	$95,454	5%
Leadership	$95,454	5%
Commitment	$94,545	4%
Collaboration	$94,545	4%

Get Latest Data

3d Drafter Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 3d Drafter 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, 3d Drafter positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view 3d Drafter as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a 3d Drafter

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Transportation	$118,181	$57.0	30%
Energy & Utilities	$99,999	$48.0	10%
Financial Services	$99,999	$48.0	10%
Software & Networking	$98,181	$47.0	8%
Biotechnology	$95,454	$46.0	5%

How Education impacts a 3d Drafter's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 3d Drafters enter the field with a No Diploma 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 3d Drafter with a No Diploma is between $92,048 and $97,709).

3d Drafter Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 3d Drafter

No Diploma 100.0%

High School 0.0%

Associates 100.0%

Bachelors 0.0%

Masters 0.0%

Doctorate 0.0%

view as table

Degree Level	% of user with this level of education
No Diploma	100.0%
High School	0.0%
Associates	100.0%
Bachelors	0.0%
Masters	0.0%
Doctorate	0.0%

view as graph

3d Drafter Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 3d Drafter'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

$81,813

Average $90,908/year

$98,501

$6,818

Average $7,576/month

$8,208

$1,573

Average $1,748/week

$1,894

$39

Average $44/hour

$47

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$98,501	$8,208	$1,894	$47
Average	$90,908	$7,576	$1,748	$44
25th Percentile	$81,813	$6,818	$1,573	$39

Salaries of jobs related to 3d Drafter

Salary Trends for 3d Drafter

Salaries for a 3d Drafter can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $100,961 in 2023 to around $98,618 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of 3d Drafter salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of 3d Drafter Over Time

2022

$???

2023

$100,961

2024

$99,845

2025

$98,618

2026

$???

2027

$???

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$100,961
2024	$99,845
2025	$98,618
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for 3d Drafter

Social Security

401(k)

Disability

Healthcare

Pension

Time Off (days)

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FAQ about 3d Drafter

1. What industry pays the highest salary for 3d Drafter?

The Transportation industry offers the highest average compensation for 3d Drafter roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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.)

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