As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Drafting Engineer in District of Columbia is $67,984, equivalent to $33 per hour, $1,307 weekly, or $5,665 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Drafting Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Drafting Engineer in District of Columbia vary widely, spanning from $57,992 to $81,305. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($62,754) and 75th percentile ($74,957), while top earners (90th percentile) make $81,305 per year. This $12,203 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Troubleshooting or Installation, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Drafting Engineer often earn 10.7% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 62 companies. However, District of Columbia currently ranks 1 nationwide for Drafting Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Drafting Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Drafting Engineer Salary $57,992 DC April 01, 2026
25th Percentile Drafting Engineer Salary $62,754 DC April 01, 2026
50th Percentile Drafting Engineer Salary $67,984 DC April 01, 2026
75th Percentile Drafting Engineer Salary $74,957 DC April 01, 2026
90th Percentile Drafting Engineer Salary $81,305 DC April 01, 2026
25% $62,754 10% $57,992 90% $81,305 75% $74,957 $67,984 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Drafting Engineer

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Location Avg. Salary Date Updated
Location Naval Anacost Annex, DC Avg. Salary $74,328 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Parcel Return Service, DC Avg. Salary $74,328 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Washington, DC Avg. Salary $74,328 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Washington Navy Yard, DC Avg. Salary $74,328 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Job Openings for Drafting Engineer in District of Columbia

Career Path for this job

  1. This Job:

    Drafting Engineer

    0 - 1 years experience
    High School Diploma or Technical Certificate

  2. Up a level:

    CAD Support Technician II

    1 - 3 years experience
    High School Diploma or Technical Certificate

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