Assistant Drafter Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Drafter make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Drafter in the United States is $57,315 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $66,236
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,041 to $61,985
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,418
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View as table View as graph 25% $50,041 10% $43,418 90% $66,236 75% $61,985 $57,315 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Assistant Drafter Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $61,985 $5,165 $1,192 $30
Average $57,315 $4,776 $1,102 $28
25th Percentile $50,041 $4,170 $962 $24
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Key Factors That Influence Assistant Drafter Salaries

An Assistant 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 Assistant Drafter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant 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): $53,513
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $53,770
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $56,666
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $58,482
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,612
Levels Salary
Entry Level Assistant Drafter$53,513
Intermediate Level Assistant Drafter$53,770
Senior Level Assistant Drafter$56,666
Specialist Level Assistant Drafter$58,482
Expert Level Assistant Drafter$58,612
$53,513 0 yr
$53,770 < 2 yrs
$56,666 2-4 yrs
$58,482 5-8 yrs
$58,612 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $63,459.
  • California: $63,218.
  • Massachusetts: $62,375.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant 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: $72,291
  • San Francisco: $71,499
  • Oakland: $69,993

What Skills Can Increase an Assistant Drafter's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coordination (Mentioned in 11.54% Job Postings): Ability to plan, execute, and adjust job duties to achieve business goals.
  • Sports Medicine (Mentioned in 7.69% Job Postings): A branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise.
  • Health Care Administration (Mentioned in 3.85% Job Postings): Health administration, healthcare administration, healthcare management or hospital management is the field relating to leadership, management, and administration of public health systems, health care systems, hospitals,and hospital networks in all the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Coordination 11.54%
Sports Medicine 7.69%
Health Care Administration 3.85%
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 an Assistant Drafter's salary.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Health Care Administration: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Flexibility
$67,058
17%
Communicates Effectively
$61,327
7%
Health Care Administration
$60,753
6%
Public Relations
$60,180
5%
Sports Medicine
$60,180
5%
Interpersonal Communication
$58,461
2%
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How Education impacts an Assistant Drafter's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Drafters enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Assistant Drafter with a Bachelor's Degree is between $49,479 and $52,751).

Assistant Drafter Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant Drafter
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 1.2%
Associates 59.0%
Bachelors 38.6%
Masters 59.0%
Doctorate 1.2%
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Assistant Drafter Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant 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 May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Assistant Drafter

Salaries for an Assistant Drafter can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $86,591 in 2023 to around $84,287 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Assistant Drafter salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Assistant Drafter Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$86,591
2024
$86,125
2025
$84,287
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $86,591
2024 $86,125
2025 $84,287
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Assistant Drafter

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

Here are companies hiring for Assistant Drafter and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Assistant Drafter Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Drafter job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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