How Much Does a Design Drafter Make in Virginia?

Updated March 01, 2025
As of March 01, 2025, the average annual pay of Design Drafter in Virginia is $98,836. While Salary.com is seeing that Design Drafter salary in VA can go up to $116,661 or down to $78,552, but most earn between $88,219 and $108,166. 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
$67,860
Virginia
Per Year
Architectural Design Drafter
$68,258
Virginia
Per Year
Computer Aided Design Drafter I
$66,650
Virginia
Per Year
Computer Aided Design Drafter II
$80,740
Virginia
Per Year
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Similar Job Salaries to Design Drafter by Company

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Company average base salary in (usd) range
REAL PERFORMANCE MACHINERY, LLC
Computer Aided Design Drafter
$72,515/yr
$64,410
$80,621
RANGE: $64,410 - $80,621
Mediabistro
Computer Aided Design Drafter
$94,298/yr
$83,717
$104,879
RANGE: $83,717 - $104,879
Hitachi Energy
Mechanical CAD/Creo Design drafter - Transformers
$71,929/yr
$63,878
$79,979
RANGE: $63,878 - $79,979
L3Harris
Design B - CAD Design Drafter Job at L3Harris in Ashburn
$88,344/yr
$78,258
$98,431
RANGE: $78,258 - $98,431
Actalent
Drafter
$76,098/yr
$67,437
$84,759
RANGE: $67,437 - $84,759
Test
Drafter
$65,962/yr
$58,366
$73,558
RANGE: $58,366 - $73,558
Lensa
Drafter
$78,602/yr
$69,656
$87,548
RANGE: $69,656 - $87,548
$78,602/yr
$69,656
$87,548
RANGE: $69,656 - $87,548
$87,106/yr
$77,061
$97,151
RANGE: $77,061 - $97,151
Zeeco
DESIGN DRAFTER
$93,167/yr
$82,490
$103,843
RANGE: $82,490 - $103,843

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Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Design Drafter Jobs in Virginia

It is important to understand how location impacts your career prospects in the United States. There are some cities where a Design Drafter can find a job easily with a greater salary paid then achieve a higher standard of living. Below is the top cities list for Design Drafter job salaries in Virginia. Some cities can pay higher salaries for Design Drafter jobs, which can indicate that there is a large demand for Design Drafter positions in this city.
The following table shows top 10 cities where the Design Drafter salary is higher than other cities in Virginia. Arlington takes first place in this list, followed by Alexandria, Annandale. The Design Drafter salary is $109,676 in Arlington, which is higher than the national average. There are 5 cities' Design Drafter salary higher than national average in Virginia.
The average salary for a Design Drafter in Virginia is $98,836, but we found that the city with the highest salary for Design Drafter jobs is Arlington, VA, and it is higher than Alexandria. Design Drafter jobs in Arlington can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in Virginia.
CITY ANNUAL SALARY MONTHLY PAY WEEKLY PAY HOURLY WAGE
Arlington $109,676 $9,140 $2,109 $53
Alexandria $109,676 $9,140 $2,109 $53
Annandale $109,676 $9,140 $2,109 $53
Reston $109,479 $9,123 $2,105 $53
Centreville $109,282 $9,107 $2,102 $53
Richmond $95,880 $7,990 $1,844 $46
Petersburg $95,584 $7,965 $1,838 $46
Virginia State University $95,584 $7,965 $1,838 $46
Virginia Beach $94,205 $7,850 $1,812 $45
Newport News $93,318 $7,777 $1,795 $45

What Does a Design Drafter Do?

Take a few minutes to discuss the most difficult or complicated design you have had to create in your career as a CAD Drafter.
Updated November 26, 2021
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

Frequently Asked Questions About a Design Drafter Salaries

What is the average of a Design Drafter in Virginia?

The Design Drafter salary range is from $88,219 to $108,166, and the average Design Drafter salary is $98,836/year in Virginia. 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.