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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Cad Drafter in California is $73,929 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, an Entry Level Cad Drafter's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Entry Level Cad Drafter Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $79,366 | $6,614 | $1,526 | $38 |
| Average | $73,929 | $6,161 | $1,422 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,597 | $5,550 | $1,281 | $32 |
Stevens Industries - BROWNSTOWN, IL
Stevens Industries - TEUTOPOLIS, IL
Stevens Industries - CASEY, IL
Stevens Industries - HIDALGO, IL
An Entry Level Cad 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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Cad 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Lev... Level Entry Level Cad Drafter | $74,438 |
| CAD Draft... Level Entry Level Cad Drafter | $84,750 |
| CAD Draft... Level Entry Level Cad Drafter | $102,613 |
| CAD Draft... Level Entry Level Cad Drafter | $132,611 |
| CAD Draft... Level Entry Level Cad Drafter | $155,376 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Entry Level Cad Drafters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Entry Level Cad Drafter roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Cad Drafter positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Cad Drafter as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $88,715 | $43.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $87,236 | $42.0 | 18% |
| Construction | $85,757 | $41.0 | 16% |
| Energy & Utilities | $84,279 | $41.0 | 14% |
| Healthcare | $82,800 | $40.0 | 12% |
Understanding how an Entry Level Cad 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $79,366 | $6,614 | $1,526 | $38 |
| Average | $73,929 | $6,161 | $1,422 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,597 | $5,550 | $1,281 | $32 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Level Cad Drafter job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Stevens Industries
SAINT ELMO, IL
Stevens Industries | SAINT ELMO, IL
Description The CAD drafter uses computer aided manufacturing equipment to provide support to Project Managers by preparing routine layouts, detailed drawi... more
7 Days Ago
Stevens Industries
MARTINSVILLE, IL
Stevens Industries | MARTINSVILLE, IL
Description The CAD drafter uses computer aided manufacturing equipment to provide support to Project Managers by preparing routine layouts, detailed drawi... more
7 Days Ago
Stevens Industries
SIGEL, IL
Stevens Industries | SIGEL, IL
Description The CAD drafter uses computer aided manufacturing equipment to provide support to Project Managers by preparing routine layouts, detailed drawi... more
7 Days Ago
Stevens Industries
TOLEDO, IL
Stevens Industries | TOLEDO, IL
Description The CAD drafter uses computer aided manufacturing equipment to provide support to Project Managers by preparing routine layouts, detailed drawi... more
7 Days Ago
Stevens Industries
NEOGA, IL
Stevens Industries | NEOGA, IL
Description The CAD drafter uses computer aided manufacturing equipment to provide support to Project Managers by preparing routine layouts, detailed drawi... more
7 Days Ago
Stevens Industries
GREENUP, IL
Stevens Industries | GREENUP, IL
Description The CAD drafter uses computer aided manufacturing equipment to provide support to Project Managers by preparing routine layouts, detailed drawi... more
7 Days Ago
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