Drafter and Drafting Salary and Wage Information
| Wage Rate | Low (<10%) | Median (50%) | High (>90%) |
| Hourly Wage | $14.43 | $22.92 | $37.03 |
| Annual Wage | $30,000 | $47,700 | $77,000 |
- "Low (<10%)" indicates that 10% of workers earned less and 90% earned more.
- "Median (50%)" indicates that 50% of workers earned less and 50% earned more.
- "High (>90%)" indicates that 90% of workers earned less and 10% earned more.
- "N/A" indicates that data in not available
*The annual salary and wage data presented above represents U.S, Based workers with full-time employment and year-round schedules.
Additional Information
Drafters convert the designs of engineers and architects into detailed technical drawings, schematics, and plans. To do this, drafters typically use specialized computer software. These professionals may specialize in electrical, civil, mechanical, or architectural drafting. Their technicals drawings and plans are used in the development of a wide range of products, processes, and structures, such as microchips and highrise buildings.In May 2012, the median annual wage for drafters was just under $50,000. The lowest ten percent earned less than $33,000, while the top ten percent earned over $77,000 a year.
The annual compensation for the most common drafting careers are as follows:
| Electrical and electronics drafters | $55,700 |
| Mechanical drafters | $50,400 |
| Architectural and civil drafters | $48,000 |
| All other drafters | $46,100 |