Structural Draftsman Salary in the United States

How much does a Structural Draftsman make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Structural Draftsman in the United States is $76,184 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Structural Draftsman's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,620
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,760 to $85,311
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,822
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View as table View as graph 25% $70,760 10% $65,822 90% $93,620 75% $85,311 $76,184 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Structural Draftsman Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $85,311 $7,109 $1,641 $41
Average $76,184 $6,349 $1,465 $37
25th Percentile $70,760 $5,897 $1,361 $34
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Key Factors That Influence Structural Draftsman Salaries

A Structural Draftsman'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 Structural Draftsman Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Structural Draftsman'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): $75,657
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $75,808
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $76,561
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $78,457
  • Expert (over 8 years): $81,721
Levels Salary
Entry Level Structural Draftsman$75,657
Intermediate Level Structural Draftsman$75,808
Senior Level Structural Draftsman$76,561
Specialist Level Structural Draftsman$78,457
Expert Level Structural Draftsman$81,721
$75,657 0 yr
$75,808 < 2 yrs
$76,561 2-4 yrs
$78,457 5-8 yrs
$81,721 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Structural Draftsman 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 Structural Draftsmans. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $84,351.
  • California: $84,031.
  • Massachusetts: $82,911.

Top Paying Cities for Structural Draftsmans

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: $96,091
  • San Francisco: $95,147
  • Oakland: $93,036

What Skills Can Increase a Structural Draftsman's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 1.96% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • 3D CAD (Mentioned in 1.49% 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 1.17% 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 1.96%
3D CAD 1.49%
Installation 1.17%
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 Structural Draftsman's salary.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis
$80,755
6%
Collaboration
$79,232
4%
Presentation
$79,232
4%
Telecommunications
$78,470
3%
Software Design
$78,470
3%
Innovation
$78,470
3%
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How Education impacts a Structural Draftsman's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Structural Draftsmans 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 Structural Draftsman with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $75,297 and $80,219).

Structural Draftsman Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Structural Draftsman
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 21.0%
Associates 54.0%
Bachelors 21.9%
Masters 1.9%
Doctorate 0.3%
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Structural Draftsman Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Structural Draftsman'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Structural Draftsman

Salaries for a Structural Draftsman can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $82,799 in 2023 to around $80,739 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Structural Draftsman salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Structural Draftsman Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$82,799
2024
$82,007
2025
$80,739
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $82,799
2024 $82,007
2025 $80,739
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Structural Draftsman

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Structural Draftsman

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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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