How Much Does a Design Drafter Make?

Updated March 01, 2025
As of March 01, 2025, the average annual pay of Design Drafter in the United States is $98,541. While Salary.com is seeing that Design Drafter salary in the US can go up to $116,312 or down to $78,317, but most earn between $87,955 and $107,843. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Related Job Titles to Design Drafter
Mechanical Design Drafter
$67,657
US
Per Year
Architectural Design Drafter
$68,054
US
Per Year
Computer Aided Design Drafter I
$66,450
US
Per Year
Computer Aided Design Drafter II
$80,490
US
Per Year
download asset banner
Facing Salary Structure Challenges? Let Our Expert Guide You
The job market is increasingly challenging. Our whitepaper, Navigating the Challenges of Creating Salary Structures, offers guidance on creating salary structures. Provide your phone number and work email to download the full version.
We will handle your contact details in line with our Privacy Policy. If you prefer not to receive marketing emails from Salary.com, you can opt-out out of marketing communications at any time by clicking unsubscribe.

Similar Job Salaries to Design Drafter by Company

FIND A SPECIFIC EMPLOYER
Loading results...
Company average base salary in (usd) range
Zeeco
DESIGN DRAFTER
$93,167/yr
$82,490
$103,843
RANGE: $82,490 - $103,843
UFP Industries, Inc.
design drafter
$70,768/yr
$58,831
$82,706
RANGE: $58,831 - $82,706
Viavi Solutions
Design/Drafter
$89,266/yr
$79,106
$99,425
RANGE: $79,106 - $99,425
Vodastra
Design Drafter
$78,683/yr
$69,728
$87,638
RANGE: $69,728 - $87,638
$92,929/yr
$82,590
$103,268
RANGE: $82,590 - $103,268
E.K. Machine
Design Drafter
$78,925/yr
$69,943
$87,908
RANGE: $69,943 - $87,908
MEVA Formwork Systems
Design Drafter
$76,260/yr
$67,580
$84,939
RANGE: $67,580 - $84,939
Price Industries
Design Drafter
$78,522/yr
$69,585
$87,458
RANGE: $69,585 - $87,458
X-Force
Design Drafter
$76,664/yr
$67,938
$85,389
RANGE: $67,938 - $85,389
Palm Beach Design INTL
Design Drafter
$76,336/yr
$67,532
$85,139
RANGE: $67,532 - $85,139

What Does a Design Drafter Do?

To ensure success as a design drafter, you should be able to use design principles to create technical drawings that bring the engineer's or architect's ideas to life.
Updated December 21, 2021
To ensure success as an AutoCAD drafter, you should have extensive experience working with AutoCAD software, advanced design skills, and a keen eye for detail.
Updated December 18, 2021
However, computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) technologies allow engineers and architects to perform many tasks that used to be done by drafters, which is expected to temper demand for all drafters.
Updated December 15, 2021
Drafters use computer software and manual sketches to convert the designs, plans, and layouts of engineers and architects into a set of technical drawings.
Updated December 05, 2021
The drafter also provides administrative support to the design team, including data collection and storage, and file management.
Updated December 05, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions About a Design Drafter Salaries

What is the average of a Design Drafter in the United States?

The Design Drafter salary range is from $87,955 to $107,843, and the average Design Drafter salary is $98,541/year in the United States. The Design Drafter's salary will change in different locations.

Which location pays the highest Design Drafter salary in the United States?

The Design Drafter salary in San Jose, CA is $123,669 which is the highest in the US.

What kinds of reasons will influence the Design Drafter's salary?

Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary. Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of Design Drafter.

What is the growth rate of the Design Drafter's salary?

If you are thinking of becoming a Design Drafter or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a Design Drafter.

Recent Salary Report

Below are the most recent Design Drafter salary reports. Employer name has been removed to protect anonymity.

$80,457 Yearly
A Design Drafter in Vancouver, WA reported making $80,457 per year
Vancouver, WA
100 - 200 employees
Full-Time
Company - Private
$80,457 Yearly
A Design Drafter in Franklin, TN reported making $80,457 per year
Franklin, TN
6 - 1,000 employees
Full-Time
Company - Private
$7,158 Monthly
A Design Drafter in Davenport, IA reported making $7,158 per month
Davenport, IA
1,000 - 3,000 employees
Full-Time
Company - Public
$113,899 Yearly
A Design Drafter in Surprise, AZ reported making $113,899 per year
Surprise, AZ
200 - 6 employees
Full-Time
Company - Private
$41 Hourly
A Design Drafter in Bloomfield, NJ reported making $41 per hour
Bloomfield, NJ
7,6 - 15,000 employees
Part-Time
Company - Public
$49 Hourly
A Design Drafter in Butte, MT reported making $49 per hour
Butte, MT
3,000 - 7,6 employees
Part-Time
Company - Public