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

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

What industry pays the highest salary for Drafter?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Drafter roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

How does experience change A Drafter's salary?

A Drafter's salary grows with experience: a CAD Drafter I (0-2 years)earns $67,593, a Drafter (2-4 years)earns $76,957, a CAD Drafter III (4-7 years)earns $93,178, a CAD Drafter IV (7+ years)earns $120,422, a CAD Drafter V (7-10 years)earns $141,095,

What are the highest paying states for a Drafter?

Drafter salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Drafter roles are District of Columbia $85,027, California $84,704, Massachusetts $83,575. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Drafter roles make?

Salaries for Drafter level roles vary by specialization: Pipe Drafter: $97,998; Design Drafter: $92,996; Engineering Drafter: $91,980; Construction Drafter: $89,055; Revit Drafter: $87,004.

Drafter Salary in Delaware

How much does a Drafter make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drafter in Delaware is $77,769 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $98,893
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,450 to $88,827
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,608

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Drafter Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$88,827	$7,402	$1,708	$43
Average	$77,769	$6,481	$1,496	$37
25th Percentile	$72,450	$6,038	$1,393	$35

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Drafter Salaries

A 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Drafter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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): $67,593
Early Career (1-2 years): $76,957
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $93,178
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,422
Expert (over 8 years): $141,095

Levels	Salary
CAD Draft... Level Drafter	$67,593
Drafter Level Drafter	$76,957
CAD Draft... Level Drafter	$93,178
CAD Draft... Level Drafter	$120,422
CAD Draft... Level Drafter	$141,095

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What Am I Worth?

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

District of Columbia: $85,027.
California: $84,704.
Massachusetts: $83,575.

District of Columbia $85,027 California $84,704 Massachusetts $83,575 Washington $83,268 New Jersey $83,237 Alaska $83,130 Connecticut $82,070 New York $81,640

Hawaii $80,265 Rhode Island $79,620 Maryland $79,182 Minnesota $78,584 Colorado $78,353 Illinois $78,276 Oregon $77,985 Delaware $77,769

New Hampshire $77,634 Virginia $77,332 Pennsylvania $76,449 Nevada $76,003 North Dakota $75,857 Michigan $75,627 Wisconsin $75,542 Vermont $75,374

Texas $74,905 Maine $74,874 Arizona $74,828 Ohio $74,775 Georgia $74,068 Indiana $73,715 Wyoming $73,646 Utah $73,538

Iowa $73,492 Kansas $73,123 Louisiana $73,016 North Carolina $72,978 Missouri $72,962 Florida $72,663 Montana $72,501 Nebraska $72,348

Kentucky $72,263 South Carolina $71,956 Tennessee $71,764 Idaho $71,687 New Mexico $71,127 Oklahoma $71,004 Alabama $70,551 South Dakota $69,791

Arkansas $69,376 West Virginia $69,153 Mississippi $68,485

Top Paying Cities for 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:

Lincoln: $77,419
Little Creek: $77,986
Magnolia: $77,874

Lincoln, DE $77,419 Little Creek, DE $77,986 Magnolia, DE $77,874 Milford, DE $77,616 Marydel, DE $77,743 Millsboro, DE $77,094 Millville, DE $77,213 Milton, DE $77,347

Nassau, DE $77,403 Ocean View, DE $77,200 Rehoboth Beach, DE $77,349 Seaford, DE $77,392 Selbyville, DE $77,072 Smyrna, DE $78,040 Viola, DE $77,680 Woodside, DE $77,889

Bear, DE $77,710 Newark, DE $77,680 Claymont, DE $77,839 Delaware City, DE $77,758 Hockessin, DE $77,673 Kirkwood, DE $77,743 Middletown, DE $77,773 Montchanin, DE $77,691

New Castle, DE $77,703 Odessa, DE $77,812 Port Penn, DE $77,864 Rockland, DE $77,699 Saint Georges, DE $77,749 Townsend, DE $77,869 Winterthur, DE $77,708 Lewes, DE $77,377

Wilmington, DE $77,677 Dover, DE $77,986 Dover Afb, DE $77,575 Bethany Beach, DE $77,119 Bethel, DE $77,199 Bridgeville, DE $77,381 Camden Wyoming, DE $77,766 Cheswold, DE $77,961

Clayton, DE $77,963 Dagsboro, DE $77,065 Delmar, DE $76,942 Ellendale, DE $77,175 Felton, DE $77,610 Fenwick Island, DE $77,082 Frankford, DE $76,948 Frederica, DE $77,687

Georgetown, DE $77,036 Greenwood, DE $77,393 Harbeson, DE $77,118 Harrington, DE $77,511 Hartly, DE $77,753 Houston, DE $77,401 Kenton, DE $77,967 Laurel, DE $76,990

Yorklyn, DE $77,697

Drafter Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Drafter roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Drafter positions in Media or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Drafter as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Drafter

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking	$104,989	$50.0	35%
Aerospace & Defense	$101,100	$49.0	30%
Financial Services	$97,212	$47.0	25%
Construction	$93,323	$45.0	20%
Internet	$93,323	$45.0	20%

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

Understanding how a 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 July 01, 2026

$72,450

Average $77,769/year

$88,827

$6,038

Average $6,481/month

$7,402

$1,393

Average $1,496/week

$1,708

$35

Average $37/hour

$43

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$88,827	$7,402	$1,708	$43
Average	$77,769	$6,481	$1,496	$37
25th Percentile	$72,450	$6,038	$1,393	$35

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